Joco Today

The adolescent years are marked by a roller-coaster ride of emotions. During these years, it can be hard to recognize the difference between normal adolescent turmoil and more serious behaviors.

The Olathe Public Schools is offering suicide prevention training and awareness at each high school as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program. The program encourages students to seek help if they are concerned about themselves or a friend.

Goals of the program are to:

• Explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy.
• Provide students with training to identify a potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend.
• Impress upon youth that they can help themselves or a friend by talking to a trusted adult.
• Instruct students who they can turn to at school for help.

All high school students, including those at Olathe Advanced Technical Center and Mill Creek Campus, will receive suicide prevention training, using SOS curricular materials. Students will also receive a brief self-screener form which is for their own use and will not be shared with anyone or collected by anyone in the district or SOS. Following the training, students will have an opportunity to speak with a qualified mental health professional on the day of training if they choose.

“Youth suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst teenagers,” said District Director of Mental Health Services Angie Salava. “By using the SOS Signs of Suicide Program, we seek to provide our students and the community with the knowledge and resources to help themselves and others.”

Training will take place at individual high schools between Sept. 12 and Nov. 7. Parents may contact their child’s school for more information and preview the self-screener below.

Read the Signs of Suicide Student Screening Form (PDF)

Learn more about the Signs of Suicide Prevention Program by visiting the MindWise Innovations website.

Original source can be found here.