Suicide Prevention | SOS Signs of Suicide for Students

SOS for Students

SOS for Students is an evidence-based youth suicide prevention program that teaches middle and high school students how to identify warning signs of suicide and depression.

Trusted by thousands of schools across the country, SOS for Students can be delivered in a single class period and encourages students to ACT® (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) if they are worried about themselves or a friend.

Preview SOS for Students

How it Works

SOS for Students 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.

Preview SOS for Students

"SOS has been shown to reduce suicidal ideation in middle school students and suicide attempts in high school students.

If your administrators do not know where to begin, suggest SOS."

American Association of Suicidology

Male Teenage Students Walking Around College Campus Together

Key Features

Evidence-Based

SOS for Students reduced suicide attempts by 64%, while students reported greater knowledge and adaptive attitudes about depression and suicide.

Affordable for Schools

$500 per school through an annual license (one license per building).

For Middle & High Schools

SOS for Students is used by thousands of middle and high schools around the country.

Takes One Class Period

Includes educational videos, discussion guides, depression screening, and response slips to seek help.

Annual Refresher Materials

Access to additional short videos and lesson plans to use with students year after year.

Any Trusted Adult Can Deliver

No training or certification is required to deliver SOS for Students; it can be delivered by any trusted adult including teachers, counselors, or community partners.

After Delivering SOS for Students, Schools Reported

97%

believed students learned to identify signs of depression and suicide
90%

saw an increase in students seeking help for themselves or a friend
95%

felt there was reduced behavioral health stigma among students

What training is required to deliver SOS for Students?

No training or certification is required to deliver SOS for Students. The program includes everything from guidance and lesson plans to handouts and resources to ensure that no training is needed.

For those looking to also train faculty and staff on suicide prevention, we recommend our one-hour, self-led SOS for K-12 School Staff Training.
Should SOS for Students be delivered by a mental health professional?

SOS for Students does not need to be facilitated by a licensed mental health professional. The program can be delivered by any trusted adult – including your classroom teachers, school counselors, or community partners.
How long does it take to train students?

SOS for Students takes as little as one class period of about 50 minutes. Optional supplemental lesson plans and refresher videos allow facilitators to provide additional training.
How many programs should I purchase?

Program pricing is based on a one-program-per-school model. Within a school, the student video can be streamed into as many classrooms as you choose simultaneously, and you may download and print as many copies of program materials as you need for your students, faculty/staff, and parents.

SOS for Students operates on a subscription basis. Your initial purchase will give you access for one year from the date of purchase – after that, you’ll renew your program annually.
Do I need to create an SOS for Students account for each person delivering the program? If not, can multiple people use it at the same time?

We do not set up separate accounts for each person implementing. Each school has one login that is shared among all implementers. There is no limit to how many people can be logged in at the same time to one account.

Grant & SOS for Students Provider Information

At SOS Signs of Suicide, we believe suicide prevention education should be available to all students.

If you’re applying for a grant to bring SOS for Students to your school or community, we’ve got all the information you need to complete your application in our downloadable Grant Application Toolkit. And if cost or capacity is a barrier to purchasing the program, we work with a large network of community organizations that deliver SOS for Students to schools across the country.

Grant Toolkit SOS for Students Providers by State

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Suicide Prevention for Students