The Children’s Cabinet offers suicide prevention screenings in all Washoe County Middle Schools. We use the nationally recognized Signs of Suicide Model. The SOS curriculum includes an educational component to school staff and parents, all offered prior to the school-based SOS screening.  Through a guided DVD and discussion, students learn how to identify the symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts in themselves or their friends and encourage help-seeking through the use of the ACT technique (Acknowledge, Care, Tell).

Our dedicated staff partner with school-based staff to screen students (with parental consent) for signs of suicide or depression. Results of the screening can indicate the presence or absence, of symptoms that are consistent with depression or suicide. All youth receive a face-to-face check-in with a case manager or therapist before being released back to class or home. Parents are contacted and involved in recommendations for those students with a positive screen.