Testimonials

"The SOS High School Suicide Prevention Program is an invaluable contribution to efforts to prevent suicides among our nation’s youth." David Satcher MD, PhD
Former US Surgeon General

"I was considering a permanent solution to a very temporary set of problems. But I found it very difficult to talk about my feelings with anyone. This program helped me to understand that my feelings were not bad – they were actually kinda normal – but they were not healthy." Maggie Ming, 17
student from Norfolk, Virginia
on how the SOS program kept her from taking her own life.

"I can’t emphasize enough that our young people are truly “gatekeepers” and need to know about depression and suicide in order to prevent others from going through these tragedies. The SOS program and the Screening for Mental Health people are dedicated to helping and I believe it is making a difference in our young people’s lives. Our coalition believes strongly enough in this program that not only do we go into schools using it, but also purchase kits ourselves and give them to schools in our area free of charge so they may use them." Neal Penberthy
CHADS Coalition

"The SOS school suicide prevention program is a safe and effective means of increasing awareness around the problem of suicide in our schools. Not only does it teach those in need how to ask for help but it increases help seeking by all staff and students. It is cost-effective, easy to implement, and does not put a strain on school resources. The program emphasizes collaboration between schools and communities and encourages parents to be active participants in their children's lives." Karl F. Rosston, LCSW
Montana Suicide Prevention Coordinator

"The SOS High School Suicide Prevention Program is as important to your school and your students as your fire emergency plan, a designated driver plan, or any other life saving instruction." Diane Smallwood, PsyD
NCSP President
National Association of School Psychologists

"The American School Counselor Association and its members strongly support the SOS High School Suicide Prevention Program. Those who have implemented it in their schools…have found the program to be both safe and effective." Kwok-Sze Richard Wong
Executive Director
American School Counselor Association

"The SOS program enables the students to be gatekeepers for themselves and their friends using the ACT technique. In a recent implementation at a middle school, in review of the first day, we asked the 7th and 8th graders on the second day how many had an opportunity to use the ACT technique in the last 24 hours. 5% of the kids shared a personal story on how they used the ACT technique to help a friend or themselves. ACT is a very powerful technique for these kids." Larry McCord
Founder of CHADS Coalition for Mental Health

"The materials provided by the SOS initiative were excellent which makes the screening and educational component easy to implement. The program provides helpful information to students so that they can make better choices in their lives. I encourage all of our members to consider this unique suicide prevention program as an educational resource for your school." Rocco Marano
National Association of Secondary School Principals

"We have used the SOS program for almost 10 years now and we continue to be satisfied with it." Terry White
Shaw High School, Columbus, GA