Viewpoint Middle School is excited to implement a new suicide prevention program!
Take a moment to read about Sources of Strength and how it can benefit our whole school community in the coming years.
Sources of Strength is…
STRENGTH – BASED
Sources of Strength employs a strength-based approach to suicide prevention. Turning the traditional practice of identifying risk factors and warning signs on its head. Sources of Strength focuses on developing protective factors, using a model that is innovative, interactive, and radically strength-based. Using an active learning model and incorporating art, storytelling, small group sharing, and games, Sources of Strength explores the eight protective factors depicted in the wheel of strength to develop resilient individuals and communities.
UPSTREAM
Most prevention work is actually crisis-driven intervention. Our primary mission is to move upstream in the prevention cycle. We work to build resilience, increase connection, change unhealthy norms around help-seeking, break down codes of secrecy and silence, and teach healthy coping strategies. With a comprehensive model of upstream prevention, we can impact a wide variety of issues beyond suicide alone, including substance abuse, bullying, relationship violence, and truancy. We are not just committed to keeping people alive but to helping them live healthy and full lives.
PEER – LED
Sources of Strength utilizes the power of peer social networks to spread messages of hope, help, and strength throughout the entire community. Sources of Strength is peer-led and adult supported. We don’t train peer leaders to be “junior psychologists” or counselors; rather, we empower them to leverage their social influence as an agent of change within the school.
EVIDENCE – BASED
- Increase in connectedness to adults
- Increase in school engagement
- Increase in positive perceptions of adult support
- Increase acceptability of seeking help
See what students are saying about the Sources of Strength program!