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Kanawha County Schools rolls out countywide suicide-prevention plan, pilots student-led Hope Squad
Summary
Counseling staff presented a multi-part suicide-prevention plan that includes staff training Aug. 17–18, countywide student delivery of the evidence-based Signs of Suicide curriculum in September with refreshers in January, depression screening, and a Hope Squad pilot at three high schools funded in part by a Marshall University grant.
Counseling staff presented Kanawha County Schools’ comprehensive suicide-prevention plan at the July 23 board meeting, outlining staff training, student instruction, parent education, screenings and a student-led pilot program. "Our comprehensive plan will include four primary components: staff training, parent education, student training and a pilot of a student-led prevention program," Mr. Duffy said during his presentation.
The plan centers on the evidence-based Signs of Suicide (SOS) curriculum and aims to deliver an initial lesson to all middle and high school students in the third week of September with refresher lessons in late January. Mr. Duffy said staff training is scheduled during two professional learning days on Aug. 17 and 18 and that the SOS program provides an online portal of supporting resources, noting Marshall University funded subscriptions for each middle and high school. "After implementing the SOS program, research has demonstrated a 64 percent reduction in suicide attempts," he added, citing the program's evidence base.
As part of classroom delivery, students will complete a short depression screening in September and leave an exit slip indicating whether they need to talk with someone about themselves or a friend. The district also plans a parent education and social-media campaign in September for Suicide Prevention Month. For direct peer support, the board heard that a Hope Squad pilot will launch at three high schools — George Washington, Nitro and Herbert Hoover — with adviser training at Nitro on Aug. 17. Mr. Duffy told the board the Hope Squad effort costs about $5,500 per high school to implement and roughly $600–$700 per adviser to train.
Board members asked for clarification about content and scope; Miss White asked whether the program addresses social media, and Mr. Duffy said it does and that the curriculum was recently updated to include a component on sextortion. Dr. Potter thanked bus drivers and attendees and noted school staff return Aug. 11. The board did not take a vote on this informational presentation; next steps include implementing training, screenings, countywide student lessons and the Hope Squad pilot.
