Suicide Prevention Lessons

This year school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help. It is essential that as a school in postvention (after student death) we continue to talk about suicide prevention and how to keep each other safe.

SOS has been used by thousands of schools for over 20 years and has been utilized  by Atlanta Public Schools since last year.  Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.  

Through the program, students learn: 

• that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help  
• how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend 
• to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend 
• who they can turn to at school for help 

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening form. This form cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should seek help from a mental health professional.  The forms are not collected but are a self screening tool for students.

At the end of class, students will complete an exit slip which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk. 

The 8th grade lesson (September) and 7th grade lesson (October) will be taught by Leslie Jo Tottenham (EC counselor*8th only), Kristin Lee (MC counselor) and Leslye Ryan (MC nurse).  During the SOS lesson, we will acknowledge last year’s student death by suicide and will provide a breakout room for any student who is not able to be in the class lesson.  

We encourage you to visit www.mindwise.org/parents for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. 

Additionally, I have linked a resource guide for parents that covers warning signs, FAQs, and how to start the conversation.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program please contact me at klee@atlncs.org or 470-597-2297.

Kristin Lee