• Suicide Prevention

    School staff work to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. At Argyle, we use a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help. SOS has been used by thousands of schools for over 20 years. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts. 

    Through the program, students learn:

    • That depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help

    • How to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend

    • To ACT (Acknowledge, Care, and Tell a Trusted Adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend

    • Who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it

    Students will watch age-appropriate video clips about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students 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.

    We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.

    Pursuant to TEC §38.351 Section (b) and Sub-section (c-4), each school district may select programs related to this area of mental health promotion and intervention, substance abuse prevention and intervention, and suicide prevention for appropriate implementation in the district.

     

    Family Resources for Suicide Prevention