Suicide Prevention Curriculum Makes Federal Registry

OLYMPIA — November 20, 2009 - The numbers are grim. According to the most recent Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, almost 25 percent of eighth graders reported feeling depressed. Fourteen percent said they had seriously considered killing themselves. But now there is help and hope.

A curriculum developed by the Youth Suicide Prevention Program of Washington State, with funding from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, gives middle-school students skills to help a friend in need.

Earlier this month, the curriculum – called LOOK LISTEN LINK – earned a place on the federal Best Practices Registry – the first middle-level suicide prevention curriculum in the nation to be granted that status.

LOOK LISTEN LINK consists of four 45-minute lessons, designed for middle-school teachers to easily embed into their health, social skills or family-oriented curricula during the school year. Students engage in interactive exercises, classroom discussions, role-play practice and observation through an accompanying DVD that was produced for YSPP by Spokane-based North By Northwest.

“I wanted the LOOK LISTEN LINK curriculum taught at my school because I see firsthand the struggles that the kids have with managing their own stress and dealing with depression while at the same time not wanting to talk about it,” said Harry Brown, Mercer Island Youth and Family Services counselor, working at Islander Middle School.

“I especially like that the curriculum gives practical skills that empower young people to know what to do if they are worried about a friend.”

During the 2008-2009 school year YSPP coordinated a pilot study of the curriculum with 33 teachers in 32 schools and more than 700 middle-school students from across the state. The evaluation concluded that as a result of the lessons, students were significantly more knowledgeable about stress and depression and that they were much more comfortable in their ability to talk with depressed friends and link them to a trusted adult.

A middle-school student in the Kent School District who received the curriculum said, “I would tell an upset friend, ‘You’re my friend and I care.’ An adult could help them. If you don’t link them, then they might just commit suicide.”

A listing on the Best Practices Registry means that the curriculum has been rigorously evaluated and passed federal standards. The registry is maintained by The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC). SPRC was created in 2002 to provide prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals to develop suicide prevention programs, interventions and policies.