HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS

IN PURSUIT OF EXCEPTIONAL

S.O.S. Implementation

The Signs of Suicide (S.O.S.) Prevention Program is a secondary school-based depression awareness and suicide prevention program designed to address public health needs in all our middle and high schools.

Through evidence-based curriculum, interactive materials, and the central A.C.T. (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) framework, students learn to identify signs of depression and suicide in themselves or their peers.

This initiative builds a supportive school community where seeking help is normalized and immediate action steps are clear for students, educators, and families alike.

1. Scheduling

Determine timing & location:

Set when, where, and what time (e.g., Health/PE).

Plan for a 55-1 hr session. Possibly 75 minutes for block.

Target Lesson Formats (mandatory):

• 6th Grade: Full lesson video on platform
• 7th & 8th Grade: Full Lesson
• High Schools: Full lesson, including DE students

2. Consent & Notice

School Notification:

Notify school administration and staff when lessons are scheduled to occur (should be on the Annual Calendar as well).

Parental Consent (Mandatory):

Prepare and send the passive Opt-out Consent Letter (Spanish version is available).

This consent includes Sandy Hook ARS

Visibility:

Ensure ACT Signs are highly visible throughout the school building.

​

Ensure ARS Signs are visible throughout the building.

3. Resources (S0S)

Preview Materials:

Review the Quick Start Guide, Checklist, SOS FAQs, and instructional videos.

Required Printing:

Print Response Cards prior to facilitation.

Documentation:

Make sure you print rosters to document student facilitation.

Collaboration & Teamwork

HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS

IN PURSUIT OF EXCEPTIONAL

Facilitating the Lesson

HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS

IN PURSUIT OF EXCEPTIONAL

1. Portals & Access

SOS Website:

Old log-in available until September 18, 2026 at sossignsofsuicide.org

New Credentials:

Emailed directly to 26-27 SOS Contacts from Mindwise.

2. Guidelines & Assessment

• Screening Tool Restriction: The formal screening tool will not be utilized unless you receive approval from the Student Services/School Psychology Departments.
• Assessment Protocols: Always ensure the utilization of pre-post assessment to track lesson efficacy.

Classroom Connection

Best Practices for Implementation

HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS

IN PURSUIT OF EXCEPTIONAL

1. Scheduling & Timing

• Staff Notification: Inform staff of when lessons will occur.
• Avoid Breaks: No lessons on Fridays or immediately before breaks.
• Staffing Levels: Do not attempt if short-staffed.
• FROST Events: Do not schedule immediately following a FROST event.
• Make-ups: Decide when make-up sessions will occur for new or absent students.

2. Delivery & Environment

• Virtual Lessons: Facilitate the SOS modified lesson for virtual environments only. We have designed a lesson specifically for virtual environments, please let us know if you need this lesson.
• Signage: Post promotional and ACT & ARS signage throughout the building from the Mindwise site. ACT signs are downloadable from the sight.
• Teacher Support: Allow teachers to leave the room if the lesson content is likely to trigger personal trauma.

3. Student Support

• Response Cards: Leave sufficient time within the same day to review response cards.
• Refresher Lessons: Passive opt-out must be utilized for refresher lesson delivery.
• Opt-Out Location: If a student opts out of the lesson, ensure they have a pre-assigned supervised location.

After the Lesson

HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS

IN PURSUIT OF EXCEPTIONAL

Follow-up Steps

1. Response Cards:Review response cards: divide and conquer

2. Feedback Survey: Complete the SOS completion survey

3. Supplemental Lessons:There are additional lessons for small groups on the site

Support Resources

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (ARS) Program

HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS

IN PURSUIT OF EXCEPTIONAL

How It Works

Three core components of the ARS program:

• Look for Signs: Detect warning signs and threats.
• Act Immediately: Take every warning sign seriously.
• Say Something: Talk to a trusted adult or submit an anonymous tip.

Resources:

Say Something ARS Collections

Program Cycle

Continuous cycle of training and reinforcement

Student Videos

Facilitation steps for training:

1. Begin after completing the SOS lesson.
2. Pause to introduce the anonymous reporting system.
3. Play the training video.

Reflection Questions:

• When do you use the ARS?
• Name 2 trusted adults at school and 2 at home.
• Review A.C.T. & ARS components.

01

Video Preview

Preview all videos prior to facilitating the lesson to ensure seamless delivery and absolute familiarity with the material.

Say Something ARS Core Training (6-12)

Say Something Elementary Training (4-5)

02

SOS and ARS Integration

Facilitate ARS program lessons in close conjunction with SOS guidelines to reinforce crucial peer support and safety concepts.

03

Follow Steps

Strictly follow the previous steps outlined and deeply embedded within the standard SOS communication and reporting processes.

Training Facilitator Guide

Implementation Timeline

HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS

IN PURSUIT OF EXCEPTIONAL

August 24th

Awareness Kits Distributed to Schools

Deliver each participating school’s awareness kit one-three days prior to student training.

* Important: Awareness material must not be displayed until after student training has been completed.

Sept 8th – Nov 20th

Student Training and Go Live

• Student Training: Train students on the Say Something ARS via a 30-minute training video.
• Campaign Visibility: Ensure all awareness materials are actively displayed in schools.
• Digital Integration: Push the "Submit a Tip" button to all school devices and the website.