ACT

Dear Northeastern Families,  

Our S.O.S. training for Middle and High School students has been rescheduled due to snow. High School students will be participating in the program February 28, 2022, while Middle School students will be participating in the program March 7, 2022

As we know, many local area schools have lost students due to suicide, and are working through the grief and loss that comes with losing a child, student, classmate, teammate, and friend. Clermont Northeastern Schools are fortunate to have the opportunity to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. This is possible in large part to our mental health staff, Child Focus, and our grant from the Department of Justice. Students in grades 6-12 will have the opportunity to participate in a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help. 

SOS has been used by thousands of schools over the past few decades. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.  

Through the program, students learn: 

  • that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help  

  • how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend 

  • to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend 

  • who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it  

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a response slip which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any students asking to talk. 

Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional.  

We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. 

We are including:  

  • An infographic for you to reinforce the ACT message at home 

  • An info sheet with resources  

  • Contact information about our Student Assistance Program.

  • Podcast information with Child Focus 

If you have any questions or concerns or would like to opt your student(s) out of participating in this program please contact your students building administrator  

HS- TJ Glassmeyer (513)625-1211 ext 112 or email  Glassmeyer_t@cneschools.org

MS- Laura Nazzarine (513) 625-1211 ext 212 or email Nazzarine_l@cneschools.org 

Sincerely,  Mike Brandt