The Program
SOS is an evidence-based youth suicide prevention program that has demonstrated an improvement in students’ knowledge and adaptive attitudes about suicide risk and depression.
Designed for grades 6-12, SOS teaches students how to identify signs of depression and suicide in themselves and their peers while providing materials that support school professionals, parents, and communities in recognizing at-risk students and taking appropriate action.
Intended Audience
This program is intended for school-aged children and adolescents.
Implementation
SOS is a classroom lesson that combines educational videos, discussion guides, depression screening, and response slips to seek help. The program includes annual refresher lessons, reflects feedback from students and facilitators, offers practical advice on coping skills, spotlights the role of social media, and includes stories of hope and recovery.
Outcomes
- 94% of participants agreed or strongly agreed with each question posed in the follow-up survey
- SOS for school staff appears to be an effective module for teachers that can be implemented at the Tier 1 level in schools
- Studies have shown that youths in the treatment group are 40% less likely to report a suicide attempt in the past 3 months compared to youths in the control group
- Exposure to the SOS program resulted in greater knowledge of depression and more adaptive attitudes towards these problems
Evidence
Since the program’s inception, researchers have assessed the effectiveness of SOS Signs of Suicide by conducting several randomized controlled trials—an evaluation known as the “gold standard” of research studies. SOS trials were completed in 2004, 2007, 2014, and 2016, evaluating 5,400 students in grades 6-12. Each trial compared the results of students who received SOS to a control group who did not participate in the program.
Additional Resources