What is Signs of Suicide?

Program Overview

  • Evidence-based universal suicide prevention program
  • Designed for middle school and high school students
  • For schools and other youth-serving organizations
  • Can be implemented in-person or virtual
  • Program Includes: videos, classroom discussion, student response slips, and an optional short, non-diagnostic depression screening
  • Provided materials for training a site implementer, staff, and parents

Want to Learn More?

Go to https://www.mindwise.org/.

SOS Signs of Suicide is an evidence-based program designed for middle and high school students that teaches youth to identify signs of depression and suicide in themselves and their friends. SOS has been distributed to over 10,000 schools and organizations across the country.

SOS student training can take place in as little as one class period. There are two primary components:

Middle School Program
High School Program

The ACT Message

Acknowledge…

…that you’re seeing signs of depression and/or suicide in yourself and others.

Care…

…by letting them know you’re worried about them.

Tell…

…a trusted adult. 

On the day of the program...

  1. Students watch an educational video and participate in guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are worried about a friend.
  2. Students complete a depression screening that indicates whether they have symptoms that may be consistent with depression (learn more about depression screening).
  3. Students complete a response slip noting whether they would like to speak to an adult following the presentation.
  4. School staff follow up with students as needed and notify parents of any follow-up conversation with their child.
  5. Some students may benefit from further assessment from a mental health professional. School staff provide families with resources and referral information.

Interested in Implementing SOS?

Complete the form below to request program support and training from the TCMHS Prevention Team or contact us at info@encouragehopeandhelp.com.

SOS Request Form

Have SOS data to report? Please complete this form.

SOS Student Videos

Check out the SOS program trailers below!

What the Program Includes

Here are some of the other materials included in the SOS program.

SOS Quick-Start Guide

The SOS Quick-Start Guide is a 7-page guide to walk you through how to get started with SOS. Topics include tips for program preparation, classroom training, following up with students, training faculty and staff, and engaging parents.

Supplemental Lesson Plans

Lesson plans can be used to extend SOS programming or added to an existing health curriculum, and address topics such as talking to trusted adults, identifying and building healthy coping skills, and building resilience.

Faculty/Staff Training

Use the ACT message to train faculty and staff at your school on how to respond to a student in crisis. Provided materials include the 16-minute Training Trusted Adults video, a sample slide deck, and an informational handout.

Refresher Videos

SOS includes shorter videos that can be used as refresher content with students who have been trained in previous years.

Reinforcement Materials

Giveaway materials such as posters, newsletters, and more to reinforce the ACT message with your students. Students can also access our ACT webpage to learn more and be directed to resources outside the classroom.

Parent Engagement Materials

Keep parents informed and involve them in your suicide prevention efforts. Materials include a sample slide deck for a parent night, short videos on topics specific to parents, sample active and passive consent letters, and a parent page where parents can explore SOS from home.

SOS Online

SOS Signs of Suicide is a fully digital program that requires only an internet connection. Your school will receive a unique login to the online portal, where you can stream program videos and download all program materials. New program developments are automatically added to your portal as they become available. SOS is priced on an annual, per-school basis.
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Encourage Hope and Help is a suicide prevention website for youth (ages 10-24), parents, educators, LGBTQ, attempt survivors, loss survivors, veterans, and community members in the Kansas City area. Through education and prevention efforts, we strive to end youth suicide.

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Encourage Hope and Help
2 days ago
Encourage Hope and Help
Gather with other caring adults with a passion for protecting our youth for a day of learning, empowerment, and connection! Join us for the 2023 Northland Prevention Conference, “Shaping the Future,” on Friday, February 24th from 8:30am-2:30pm at Platte Woods United Methodist Church. A breakfast of pastries, fruit, coffee, and water will be provided prior to the start of the conference, and lunch will be provided in-between breakout sessions. Register today! https://bit.ly/3QKDEl4

Gather with other caring adults with a passion for protecting our youth for a day of learning, empowerment, and connection! Join us for the 2023 Northland Prevention Conference, “Shaping the Future,” on Friday, February 24th from 8:30am-2:30pm at Platte Woods United Methodist Church. A breakfast of pastries, fruit, coffee, and water will be provided prior to the start of the conference, and lunch will be provided in-between breakout sessions. Register today! bit.ly/3QKDEl4 ... See MoreSee Less

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Achieving your goals can sometimes feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Once your goals are set, you need a plan for how you will meet them. Check out these tips and set yourself up for success! #GoalSetting #HealthyHabits

Achieving your goals can sometimes feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Once your goals are set, you need a plan for how you will meet them. Check out these tips and set yourself up for success! #GoalSetting #HealthyHabits ... See MoreSee Less

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Many people find that they struggle with making new habits stick. Don’t give up! When you “stack” new habits on top of old ones, you’ll be more likely to remember to do it and have greater success making it permanent. Learn more at www.wellandgood.com/habit-stacking/! #HealthyHabits

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Encourage Hope and Help
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Gather with other caring adults with a passion for protecting our youth for a day of learning, empowerment, and connection! Join us for the 2023 Northland Prevention Conference, “Shaping the Future,” on Friday, February 24th from 8:30am-2:30pm at Platte Woods United Methodist Church. A breakfast of pastries, fruit, coffee, and water will be provided prior to the start of the conference, and lunch will be provided in-between breakout sessions. Register today! https://bit.ly/3QKDEl4

Gather with other caring adults with a passion for protecting our youth for a day of learning, empowerment, and connection! Join us for the 2023 Northland Prevention Conference, “Shaping the Future,” on Friday, February 24th from 8:30am-2:30pm at Platte Woods United Methodist Church. A breakfast of pastries, fruit, coffee, and water will be provided prior to the start of the conference, and lunch will be provided in-between breakout sessions. Register today! bit.ly/3QKDEl4 ... See MoreSee Less

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Goals and healthy habits are an important part of mental wellness, but without healthy habits, meeting your goals can be a challenge! Think of your goals as the destination, and your habits as part of your journey to achieving them. #GoalSetting #HealthyHabits

Goals and healthy habits are an important part of mental wellness, but without healthy habits, meeting your goals can be a challenge! Think of your goals as the destination, and your habits as part of your journey to achieving them. #goalsetting #healthyhabits ... See MoreSee Less

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This website was developed [in part] under a grant number 1H79SM062907-01 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.

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