Signs of Suicide Information
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The adolescent years are marked by a roller-coaster ride of emotions, and high levels of stress, worry, confusion, self-doubt, and pressure can be challenging to manage. The rate of depression (among the most common of mental health issues) is increasing among adolescents, however can be misread as typical adolescent turmoil. Depression, which is treatable, is a leading risk factor of suicide. For some youth, suicide may appear to be a solution to problems and stress. Many of the signs and symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to those of depression. To proactively address these issues, middle and high school students throughout Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 will participate in a depression awareness and suicide prevention training as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program. The program aims to increase help seeking by students concerned about themselves or a friend. SOS is listed on the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices.
Our goals in participating in the SOS program are:
- To help our students understand that depression is a treatable mental health disorder. To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression and other stressors throughout a variety of areas in one’s life.
- To provide students training in how to identify the signs and symptoms of serious depression and potential suicidality in themselves or a friend.
- To impress upon youth that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns.
- To encourage students to follow the ACT steps of Acknowledge, Care, Tell when a friend needs help.
- To help students know whom in the school they can turn to for help, if they need it.
All 6th-8th graders will participate in the Signs of Suicide video and discussion during advisory on the dates listed below. This information will be presented by trained school and district staff in conjunction with school counselors and psychologists. Please note that one component of the SOS Program is an optional screening that assesses students for depression and suicide risk. We will not be using this optional screening tool with our students.
If you DO NOT want your student to participate in the SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program, please contact Aimee Harris via phone at 719.358.4362 prior to your students presentation date to discuss concerns of participation. If we do not hear from you, we will assume that this means that you are allowing your student to participate in the video and discussion.
6th Grade: Nov 1st
7th Grade: Nov 8th
8th Grade: Nov 15th
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.
Parent Training Video :
This 30-minute video for middle school and high school parents educates on the risk factors and warning signs of depression and suicide and how to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell).
This 30-minute video for middle school and high school parents educates on the risk factors and warning signs of depression and suicide and how to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell).
Signs of Suicide: Helping your child (English) | |
File Size: | 90 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
Signs of Suicide: Helping your child (Spanish) | |
File Size: | 621 kb |
File Type: |
Parent Resource/Helping (English) | |
File Size: | 47 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
Parent Resource/Helping (Spanish) | |
File Size: | 92 kb |
File Type: | jpg |