ORRHS will be offering the SOS Program again this year for incoming freshman in their Health class to address Suicide Prevention. The SOS Program (Signs of Suicide) is for educational/informational purposes (not diagnostic) to recognize the general signs of depression, self-injury and suicide prevention. The main teaching tool of the program is a video that teaches students how to identify symptoms of depression and suicidality in themselves or their friends and encourages help-seekiing. The primary objectives are to educate teens that depression is a treatable illness and to equip them to respond to a potential suicide. SOS is an action-oriented approach instruting students how to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) in the face of a mental health emergency. This program is sponsored by the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health: As well as the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American School Health association, National Association of School Psychologists. The SOS Program will be presented this year to all Freshman Health classes; it is in conjunction with the Health Curriculum. The program will be for one class block on November 2,3,7,9 (See below for classes and days)Parents have received consent forms in the mail prior to the presentation and a packet of information about the program. Please fill out and send it in as soon as possible. If you have any questions please call Mr. Jenkins or Ms. Lane. Information on SOS will be available on the ORRHS website. If you would like to view the documents from this program see the list on the website.Please note the screener is an anonymous self-evaluation tool only and if student wants to speak with school personnel they can indicate on a response card at the end of presentation.Parents can discuss this tool with student.List of classes/dates:Thursday 11/02/06- Day 5-Block 1-Mr. Jenkins Friday 11/03/06- Day 6-Block 1- Mr. Jenkins Day 6-Block 2- Ms. Foster Day 6-Block 3-Mr. Jenkins and Ms. FosterTuesday 11/07/06 -Day 7-Block 1 Ms. FosterThursday 11/09/06- Day 1-Block 2 Ms. Foster Day 1-Block 3 Ms. Foster