Ensuring there's help available

IDAHO FALLS (AP) - Eight Idaho schools are participating in a statewide pilot project intended to prevent suicides among young people ages 10 to 24.

The Idaho Lives Project is a partnership between the state Department of Education and the Suicide Prevention Action Network of Idaho.

"The goal is to leverage and utilize a student's group of friends to cultivate antidotes to suicidal ideation," said Matt McCarter, Department of Education student engagement director. "We work with (staff and students) to determine how we can make every student feel like they belong and are a resource in that school."

Two eastern Idaho schools are participating in the project, the Post Register reported in a story Thursday. Teton High School in Driggs and Salmon High School will each receive a $3,000 grant, plus training for staff and students, to put in place a program called Sources of Strength.

It's a suicide prevention program that uses peer social networks to prevent bullying, substance abuse and suicide. Six other schools have also implemented Sources of Strength.

Officials selected schools for the program based on a history of youth suicide and student demographics that show a higher risk. Two students at Teton High School committed suicide in spring 2010.

Teton School District 401 Superintendent Monte Woolstenhulme said several graduates also have committed suicide in recent years.

"There continues to be a need in our school and community to address mental health needs and suicide prevention," Woolstenhulme said. "It's a complex issue ... as we get more opportunities for training on how to help students in crisis, we want to embrace that - we were fortunate to be among the (first) schools (chosen)."

There have been no suicides by Salmon High School students in the past four to five years.

"(In terms of) risk factors, we fit a profile," Salmon School District 291 Superintendent Joey Foote said. "We have a high percentage of students in the lower economic status, and we have a higher homeless rate of 10 percent."

The program helps instructors recognize the warning signs of suicide and create plans to intervene. Training is also offered to "gatekeepers" in the community such as doctors, mental health therapists, coaches, parents and student support groups.

An additional 10 to 14 schools will begin implementing Sources of Strength during the 2014-15 school year. Eventually, officials want 32 Idaho schools in the program.

Idaho had the sixth highest suicide rate in the country in 2010, the most recent year available, according to the Suicide Prevention Action Network of Idaho. In 2011, 284 people completed suicide statewide. About 15 percent of Idaho high school students reported seriously considering suicide in 2011.