Last year American Academy implemented the program, SOS: Signs of Suicide and we are again providing this training to our middle school students. This program is designed specifically for students in grades 6-8 and is also the same program that many schools in Douglas County use.
SOS: Signs of Suicide teaches middle school students how to identify the signs of depression and suicide in themselves and their peers. Through a video, guided discussion, and brief screening for depression, students are encouraged to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) when worried about themselves or a friend.
Due to the sensitivity of this topic, we are very deliberate in our approach in delivering this program to our students:
- We have all three campuses’ mental health staff present on the day of implementation to ensure proper delivery of the program and provide extra support to our students.
- Each student completes a brief depression screener. Students who indicate they need to speak with someone are able to talk individually with a mental health provider.
- If you would like to review the screener at home, they are available on the SOS website.
I want to thank you for your support. The mental health and well-being of our community is incredibly important to us, and we believe we can make a difference if we work together as a team, impacting each and every student at home and in the classroom. The safety of our students, both physically and emotionally, is always our top priority.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out myself or your campus’ principal or dean.