Suicide prevention: a classroom presentation to adolescents

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Education

Background:

• Growing attention on adolescent suicide has spurred widespread school-based prevention programs.
• Concerns exist regarding the actual effectiveness and impact of these suicide prevention initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To statistically analyze the effectiveness of a specific school-based suicide prevention program.
• To evaluate changes in adolescent attitudes toward suicide post-intervention.

Main Methods:

• Statistical analysis of a school suicide prevention program's effectiveness.
• Assessment of adolescent attitudes regarding suicide before and after the program.

Main Results:

• A high baseline proportion of adolescents held undesirable attitudes about suicide.
• The program significantly improved attitudes in six of eight targeted areas.
• Results suggest no negative impact on self-disclosure when discussing mental illness and suicide.

Conclusions:

• The analyzed suicide prevention program demonstrates effectiveness in shifting adolescent attitudes positively.
• The program may help dispel myths about mental illness and suicide disclosure.