Eggert started the program in 1989 and tested its effectiveness for five years. Even in the face of overwhelming problems, teachers, parents, and health care professionals can assist young people to find their way out of the darkness of depression, Eggert says. The first step is to offer a helping hand to youths to help them see their problems aren't insurmountable and that there are other choices. Research shows that kids are reluctant to talk about feelings of suicide, but they respond openly when asked, since they see this as a sign that someone cares. The personal growth classes are limited to 12 students, giving them a safe place to practice these new skills and a chance to develop supportive relationships with others.
School is where kids stay connected, make friends, and succeed.
They also showed decreased depression, hopelessness, stress, and problems controlling anger. That way limited resources can be effectively targeted to students who need the help most. Eggert and her colleagues developed a suicide risk screening tool and computer-assisted crisis intervention interview. Almost all people who kill themselves have a mental or substance abuse disorder. Finding at-risk kids early and reducing risk factors like potential school failure or dropout, problems with drug involvement and serious depression or emotional distress may be the most promising way to prevent suicide, Eggert says.