Stephanie Dickenson speaks about suicide prevention at the Prevention Network in Baden. The non-profit has launched its SOS "Signs of Suicide" program in the region. The Prevention Network launched its SOS, "Signs of Suicide," initiative with a breakfast on Thursday morning at their Baden headquarters.
The public awareness campaign about youth suicide will be used in schools countywide, including the Ambridge Area School District, as well as throughout the region.
Thursday's debut took place at the Prevention Network, 270 Ohio River Boulevard, and featured speakers around the issues of suicide and a showing of the new promotional video for the event.
Stephanie Dickenson, who will be implementing the programs in schools, said schools can bring the program to health classes, ideally 7th to 9th grades, or as an assembly for the entire school.
"If we talk about it we might prevent two or three suicides," Dickenson said.
Ambridge Area Junior High will have an assembly on April 10. Consent forms will be sent home to parents.
The SOS program has been funded with a $10,000 grant through Beaver County Behavioral Health and will service 20 different Beaver County schools and organizations. School staff will be trained to continue helping students who say they are suicidal.
SOS has a 40 percent success rate in reducing the number of suicide attempts per 100,000 people, according to a study in 2007 by developers of the program.
Jeremy Angus, president and CEO of The Prevention Network, said they could not be more excited to begin providing this opportunity.
"Today, mental health concerns among our regions students are a true focal point in not only our schools systems but also outside of schools and with the child's family. The Prevention Network is excited to have the opportunity to ensure we stay at the forefront of this issue and quite frankly, save lives."
The goal of The Prevention Network is to begin providing this program to schools located all throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Like Ambridge Connection on Facebook, follow us on Twitter.
Thursday's debut took place at the Prevention Network, 270 Ohio River Boulevard, and featured speakers around the issues of suicide and a showing of the new promotional video for the event.
Stephanie Dickenson, who will be implementing the programs in schools, said schools can bring the program to health classes, ideally 7th to 9th grades, or as an assembly for the entire school.
"If we talk about it we might prevent two or three suicides," Dickenson said.
Ambridge Area Junior High will have an assembly on April 10. Consent forms will be sent home to parents.
The SOS program has been funded with a $10,000 grant through Beaver County Behavioral Health and will service 20 different Beaver County schools and organizations. School staff will be trained to continue helping students who say they are suicidal.
SOS has a 40 percent success rate in reducing the number of suicide attempts per 100,000 people, according to a study in 2007 by developers of the program.
Jeremy Angus, president and CEO of The Prevention Network, said they could not be more excited to begin providing this opportunity.
"Today, mental health concerns among our regions students are a true focal point in not only our schools systems but also outside of schools and with the child's family. The Prevention Network is excited to have the opportunity to ensure we stay at the forefront of this issue and quite frankly, save lives."
The goal of The Prevention Network is to begin providing this program to schools located all throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Like Ambridge Connection on Facebook, follow us on Twitter.
RSS Feed