Riedel Foundation provides suicide prevention grant for Hannibal Schools

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The George H. Riedel Foundation will fund suicide prevention services in Hannibal schools with a $4,000 grant to CHADS Coalition for Mental Health, a St. Louis-based nonprofit with the mission of saving young lives by advancing awareness and prevention of depression and suicide.

CHADS Coalition started the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program at several Hannibal schools two years ago, but the funding available was not sufficient to cover the growth of the program. The Riedel grant will ensure that the SOS program continues at Hannibal Middle School, Hannibal High School and at parochial schools.

“The uniqueness and significance of SOS is that it is the only evidence-based universal suicide prevention program that trains students and school staff how to recognize the signs of depression and prevent suicide,” CHADS chief program officer Colleen Suber said in a press release. “We teach them how to ACT — Acknowledge the signs of suicide, respond with Care, Tell a trusted adult.”

Tailored sessions address age and grade specific challenges build on prior learning and introduce new material such as peer-pressure and self-injury. Trainings end with a depression screening, and students are given the opportunity to immediately speak with a counselor, providing a tangible action to seek help for themselves or others. This is proven highly successful in preventing kids from ‘falling through the cracks’ by guaranteeing access to essential care and support for those struggling with depression and suicide.

“We talked with administrators of our local school district about CHADS work in the Hannibal school system,” Riedel trustee April Baldwin said. “They told us that when the SOS program is presented, there is an increase in the number of students who seek out their school counselor. That tells us that the program is working because these students looking for a trusted adult to share their stories.”

Suicide is the leading cause of death for people age 10-34.

The Riedel Foundation grant will cover the cost of presenting the Signs of Suicide program and follow-up services for the 2024-25 school year.