With September being Suicide Awareness Month, it was the perfect time to get started with Sources of Strength, a suicide prevention program, at Hood River Valley High School. A group of Adult Advisors (pictured) were trained in September with the help of the School Safety and Prevention Specialist from CGESD. In October and November the students started the program with a 6 hour team building and educational Peer Advisor training.
Sources of Strength is a radically strength-based, upstream suicide prevention program that has shown effectiveness in both preventative and intervention outcomes. Researchers found that the program improved adaptive norms regarding suicide, connectedness to adults, and school engagement. The end goal is for student-led projects to promote awareness and build a stronger school climate and culture.
Student projects will be implemented and shared throughout the 2023-24 school year. Students at Hood River Valley High School are the first to start the program in the Gorge! There are hopes that others will join in with Sources of Strength next year, including middle and elementary school programs too.