Effects of a Psycho-Educational Program on Help-Seeking Preferences and Skills in Elementary School Children: Implications for Suicide Prevention Education

Abstract

This study examined the effects of a psycho-educational program (sessions on sending and catching SOS signals) for elementary school children on improving their help-seeking attitudes and skills as a protective factor in preventing suicide. Composed of two sessions, the program was administered to fifth-and sixth-grade elementary school children (N＝111) on a class-by-class basis. We examined its effect using a self-administered questionnaire assessing help-seeking preferences toward friends and teachers, help-seeking skills, and skills in supporting friends. The responses to scales assessing help-seeking skills and support skills to friends indicated the program's positive effects. The results of specific subscale scores assessing help-seeking preferences toward friends also showed differential effects between boys and girls. Moreover, the program resulted in partially significant correlations between changes in help-seeking skills and support skills for friends and changes in help-seeking preferences toward friends and teachers, which were especially characteristic of girls. Based on these results, the potential for future developments in suicide prevention education research and practices for elementary school children are discussed.