Thursday, October 26, 2023 @ 8:30 a.m.
Dear San Antonio Caregivers/Guardians/Parents:
California Education Code (EC) Section 215, AB 2246 mandates that schools serving pupils in grades seven to twelve adopt a policy on pupil suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. To proactively address these issues, San Antonio High School is offering depression awareness and suicide prevention training on October 26th to all students during homeroom, as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program. The program encourages students to seek help if they are concerned about themselves or a friend. The SOS Program is the only youth suicide prevention program that has demonstrated an improvement in students’ knowledge and adaptive attitudes about suicide risk and depression, as well as a reduction in actual suicide attempts.
Our goals in participating in this program are straightforward: • To help our students understand that depression is a treatable illness • To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs because of untreated depression • To provide students training in how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves
or a friend • To impress upon youth that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of
talking to a trusted adult about their concerns • To teach students who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it
On October 26th, students will view a video on the signs and symptoms of depression and building an awareness of depression and suicide for all our students. Additionally, students will learn how to respond and who they should talk to if they or a friend are ever in need of assistance. The video is an 8-minute lesson on the topics and strategies of depression and suicide and will enhance your child’s awareness of the subject.
If you wish to view the video, you may access it through the parent SOS portal. GO TO: www.sossignsofsuicide.org/pare... We will have school support teams available at school to talk to any students that need support. If you do NOT want your student to participate in the viewing of the SOS video at school, please go to this link https://forms.gle/4gCdBpApxub1... and fill out the electronic form or have your student drop off a note at the main office by Wednesday, October 25 at 3 PM. If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in this mandatory program.
Sincerely, Lisette Mancilla, School Counselor
Calvin McKendrick, Principal