NWCCA STUDENT SERVICES
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Signs Of Suicide (SOS): 
Student Services teams with the Health & Physical Education department to teach the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program during Health & Physical Education classes as a part of the NC Essential Standards (Mental and Emotional Health). SOS is an award-winning, nationally recognized program designed for middle and high school-age students. The program teaches students how to identify the symptoms of depression and suicidality in themselves or their friends, and encourages help-seeking through the use of the ACT®technique (Acknowledge, Care, Tell). 

The SOS High School Program is the only school-based suicide prevention program listed on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices that addresses suicide risk and depression, while reducing suicide attempts.


SOS aims:
* To help students understand that depression is a treatable illness.
* To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression.
* To train students in how to identify serious depression and potential suicidal thoughts in a friend.
* To impress upon teens that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns.


Warning Signs for Suicide:
  • Verbal or written threats of suicide
  • Changes in personality 
  • Previous suicide attempts 
  • Sleep disturbances 
  • Changes in eating habits 
  • Drop in school performance 
  • Use of drugs or alcohol 
  • Giving away possessions 
  • Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness 
  • Themes of suicide, death, or depression in essays 
  • Withdrawal from family, friends, or prior or artwork interests 
  • For more detailed information, click here

What to do: 
  • Listen and express concern in a nonjudgmental way. 
  • Show that you care. 
  • Take action—get them connected with professional help. 
  • Take suicide threats seriously. 
  • Ask questions openly (“Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?”). 
  • Stay with them until you can get them with an adult or a professional. (“Will you talk to someone who can help?”). If you are at school, see a staff member immediately and they will connect you with Student Services. If it is outside school hours, please see below (Resources that can help).
  • If you are worried about a comment a friend made on Facebook, click here to learn how to report suicidal users on Facebook

What not to do: 
  • Do not keep threats a secret. 
  • Do not leave the friend alone. 
  • Do not think this is a joke. 
  • Do not try to be a therapist. Tell a trusted adult. 

Resources that can help:
WCPSS Mental Health and Suicide Resources for Parents
Hopeline:  (919) 231-4525 or (877) 235-4525 (24-hour crisis counseling and suicide intervention)
Holly Hill Hospital: (919) 250-7114 (24-hour emergency mental health services)
National Suicide Hotline/Lifeline: 1-800-784-2433 or 1-800-273-8255 (24 hours)
Strategic Behavioral Health Center: (919) 800-4400 (Emergency mental health services for people ages 12-17)
Trevor Hotline: 866-488-7386 (Crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24)
UNC Crisis & Assessment (in Raleigh at WakeBrook):  (919) 250-1260 (Provides immediate attention for individuals needing assistance for a crisis related to mental illness, development disability, and/or a substance abuse disorder.)
American Association of Suicidology
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
It's OK to Ask...about Suicide
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  • Home
    • About
    • Appointments
    • Newsletters
    • Remind
    • Student Services Directory
  • Academic
    • Credit by Demonstrated Mastery
    • GPA
    • Graduation & Promotion Requirements
    • Registration
    • School Profile
    • Transcripts
    • WCPSS Math Resources
  • College/Career
    • ACT/SAT/PreACT/PSAT
    • College Planning Resources
    • College Visits
    • Enrichment Opportunities
    • NCAA Eligibility
    • Scholarships and Financial Aid
    • Seniors
    • UNC Minimum Admission Requirements
  • Social/Emotional
    • Bullying
    • Housing and Other Resources
    • Suicide Awareness and Prevention >
      • Community Resources