For the second year in a row, the LT Physical Education and Health Department administered the Signs of Suicide Survey for all sophomores on Oct. 20, 27, and 28 during their P.E. or Health classes. All seniors will also take the survey in the spring at an undecided date. 

The survey, started by non-profit Elyssa’s Mission in 2006, has integrated its way into LT’s Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program. 

“Our Student Service grade-level teams work incredibly hard to identify students in need of support, whether that be academically or emotionally,” Division Chair for Counseling and Student Support Services Drew Eder said. “We know that there are students struggling silently and this is a program that helps us to identify them, communicate with their family, and connect them to the support they need.”

Elyssa’s Mission is a Chicagoland community-based organization in honor of Elyssa Meyers, who died by suicide after suffering from severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. This organization provides hands-on support to public and private schools as a way to increase help-seeking behaviors among students who are concerned about a friend or themselves. This survey is administered to over 350 high schools across the state of Illinois and has educated over one million students, staff, and parents. 

“With a school our size, our goal to administer to two classes each year is ambitious, but possible due to the enhancements in Student Service teams, particularly the addition of social workers and school psychologists the past few years,” Eder said.

The survey consists of many questions and assesses the depressive symptoms teenagers may have experienced over the past four weeks before testing. There are two critical questions included in the screening that focus on suicidal thoughts and behaviors, but the majority of questions focus on energy, concentration, mood, and self-perception. 

“Elyssa’s Mission educates and screens teens on warning signs of suicide to help identify at-risk youth, link them to vital resources, and ultimately prevent suicide,” class of 2026 social worker Gina Horeni said. “I encourage you to check out their website for more information. Elyssa’s Mission worked with us on implementing the SOS program at LT, and currently funds the program for us.”

Parents are able to opt out of the survey through an email sent to them prior to the survey being administered. Those who have not opted out will fill out a Response Card, which indicates whether they would like to speak to a professional about themselves or a friend. 

“[This] program is important because the teenage years can be very difficult, and we want to be sure we are teaching students about the importance of reaching out for help if they are worried about themselves or a friend,” Horeni said. 

The results of the survey are immediately scored by the Student Service Team. All results and responses of the survey are confidential; however, if there is anything that the team flags as concerning, the families of students are contacted, and students are connected with the proper resources to help them move forward. 

“This tool does not provide a diagnosis of depression but rather alerts school staff to those students requiring further investigation,” Horeni said. “School mental health staff then meet with designated students, and school staff will subsequently notify parents [and] guardians regarding any needed next steps.”