An outcome evaluation of the SOS Suicide Prevention Program.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the effectiveness of the Signs of Suicide (SOS) prevention program in reducing suicidal behavior.


METHODS
Twenty-one hundred students in 5 high schools in Columbus, Ga, and Hartford, Conn, were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by students in both groups approximately 3 months after program implementation.


RESULTS
Significantly lower rates of suicide attempts and greater knowledge and more adaptive attitudes about depression and suicide were observed among students in the intervention group. The modest changes in knowledge and attitudes partially explained the beneficial effects of the program.


CONCLUSIONS
SOS is the first school-based suicide prevention program to demonstrate significant reductions in self-reported suicide attempts.
Aseltine
Robert H
RH
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA. aseltine@uchc.edu
DeMartino
Robert
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D003237:Connecticut; D003863:Depression; D005845:Georgia; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000092864:Suicide Prevention