Mental Health Services

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend.  The main objective is to learn and practice the acronym of ACT: Acknowledge Care Tell. The following link is an infographic reminding students how to do this. Click Here. 

Following the video(s) and guided discussions, students in grades 6-12 will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk or who has a survey showing elevated risk indicators. 

What materials are available to educate parents virtually?

Individual schools each have a mental health team that will be or have already delivered a training. Currently, these are mostly virtual and have been sent out in a recorded link on Parent Square or that of the like. The SOS Mindwise professionals are also offering webinars for parents in the fall. Schools can distribute educational materials to parents, including info sheets on youth mental health. Parents can also visit the SOS Parent Page at https://sossignsofsuicide.org/parent to learn more about SOS, warning signs, risk factors, and take a depression screening on behalf of their child. If you have not received an invitation for the parent training or want additional support or questions answered, please contact your student’s mental health professional or administrator of the school your student attends.