Douglas County School

Sources of Strength is a best practice youth suicide prevention model designed to harness the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, bullying, and substance abuse. The mission of Sources of Strength is to prevent suicide by increasing help seeking behaviors and promoting connections between peers and caring adults. Sources of Strength moves beyond a singular focus on risk factors by utilizing an upstream approach for youth suicide prevention. This upstream model strengthens multiple sources of support (protective factors) around young individuals so that when times get hard they have strengths to rely on.

Learn more on the National Sources of Strength website

Sources of Strength Schools in DCSD

       Middle Schools                 High Schools

Sources of Strength at Ponderosa High School

“Our first year we had a student peer leader connect with a student in need during the school day. They were then referred to the counseling office and an assessment was conducted. The student was at risk for suicide and they were given the help they needed,” said Ponderosa Assistant Principal Ponderosa, Natalie Munoz-Garcia. “To me that was an immediate sign of success of Sources of Strength.”

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Sources of Strength at Chaparral High School

“You see it at sporting events. You see it during Wish Week. You see it in the canned food drive. You see it in the lunchroom. You get the sense that these kids take care of one another,” said Chaparral principal, Greg Gotchey. “We want to teach kids what that means. It doesn’t always mean I’m going to drop everything I’m doing to do something for you, but what it means is I’ll drop everything for you if you need it and to show you that you have the strength to get through this. That’s where the Sources of Strength, blended with our traditions, is really blossoming this year.”

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Request More Information

      To request more information about Sources of Strength in your Douglas County school, contact: 
         Ann Metz  ann.metz@dcsdk12.org                             Ann Walton ann.walton1@dcsdk12.org  
                                      Kimberly Moore  Kimberly.Moore@dcsdk12.org