The Importance of SOS Training in Montana’s Schools

Suicide prevention training, also referred to as SOS training, is very important in our schools because it can help teachers learn how to help students struggling with mental illness. Understanding that mental illness is a challenge for students is the key to understanding how to help each student with their individual struggles. As Father John Pankratz said, “Teachers are on the front lines of interacting with students, so it is certainly something that is a concern, because there are a lot of students who struggle with things like that.” When students are going through suicidal ideation, there are definitely signs that can be recognized by teachers. Some of the signs include talking about suicide, withdrawal from social contact, increased use of alcohol or drugs, and developing personality changes.

Suicide is the number one cause of injury-related death in the United States. A heart-wrenching 129 people take their own life every day in the US, which amounts to one suicide every 11 minutes. In 2020, almost 600 children aged 10-14 took their own life. Suicide is the number one cause of preventable death in Montana. That means that there are more people dying from suicide than there are dying in car accidents. One often-cited reason for high suicide rates is the stigma that comes along with having a mental illness. About 300 people commit suicide every year in Montana, which gives Montana the 3^rd highest rate of suicide per state in the US. The situation is further exacerbated by a perception that mental illness is a weakness or is an over-exaggerated issue rather than a serious topic. Even in the biggest city in Montana, it is still hard to find help for mental health, and the difficulties surrounding access in rural areas of the state are even more pronounced.

Students in the Billings Catholic School system are asked to participate in SOS training at least twice before they graduate. According to Billings Central counselor Angela Hirt, “Students get SOS Training twice before they graduate: once as a sixth grader and once as a senior.” It is important for students to have this training as many times as possible before graduation because it can help them to educate others and understand how to deal with other struggles.