Dear Parent/Guardian,  

This year school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help. 

SOS has been used by thousands of schools for over 20 years. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.  

Through the program, students learn: 

• that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help  

• how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend 

• to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend 

• who they can turn to at school for help 

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening form. This form cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should seek help from a mental health professional.  

At the end of class, students will complete an exit slip that asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk. 

We encourage you to visit www.mindwise.org/parents for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. Attached is a handout for Parents & Caregiver. If you are interested in learning more about the program and what your child will be learning, please join us at an in-person event held on Monday, April 1st from 5:30-6:30 at Lahaina Intermediate School.  

If you would like to reach out for more information regarding Mental Health Support for your child these resources are available for you: 

• Lahaina Comprehensive Health Center   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GfPPazCdEk-8diACxh1jMF3mOJ_R9_V0/view

  • Carelon Behavioral Health:  

https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt0806fe74ab541751/

blt6ed17f3dd0e4298c/64d7f6a9fe29ddcd6430f9f1/HMSA-Carelon-Maui-Wildfire-Support-Resources-Flyer.pdf

• Hazel Health:  https://my.hazel.co/hawaiipublicschools/info

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program or would like to opt out of this program for your child, please contact the school at 808-727-6400 or your child’s school counselor no later than April 3, 2024 to ensure an alternative educational activity can be planned. 

Grade 9: Kiana Hayes @ 808-727-6360/Kiana.Hayes@k12.hi.us

Grade 10: Tina Pedro @ 808-727-6353/Tina.Pedro@k12.hi.us

Grade 11: Darcie Webber @ 808-727-6352/Darcie.Webber@k12.hi.us

Grade 12: Hulita Faitua @  808-727-6371/Hulita.Faitua@k12.hi.us

Sincerely,

Richard Carosso

SOS Parent Letter.pdf