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Creating a safer today for our youth.

OUR MISSION: SUICIDE PREVENTION OUR MISSION: SUICIDE PREVENTION

Learn more about our Signs of Suicide Program.Hope Squad Program.Grief Group Program.

Elyssa’s Mission funds and implements the evidence-based SOS Signs of Suicide Program in over 300 middle and high schools in Illinois (20+ counties, 120+ suburbs) through our partnership with MindWise Innovations, a Massachusetts-based organization that pioneered the concept of large-scale mental health screening and education programs. We assist with all components of the SOS Program including planning, teaching and training for staff and parents.
SOS Signs of Suicide

Signs of Suicide teaches students how to identify signs of depression and suicide in themselves and their peers.

Hope Squad
A peer-to-peer program that aims to reduce youth suicide through education and peer intervention.
 
Grief Group

Elyssa’s Mission offers a ‘postvention’ grief group to schools that have suffered the loss of a student by suicide.

Outcome Data

Our Success Stories

How are you feeling?

Take a brief screening to determine if you, or someone you care about, should connect with mental health professional. It is completely anonymous and confidential.

You Can Help!

Make A Donation

Help us fund Suicide Prevention education.

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Become A Sponsor

We invite you to invest in Suicide Prevention

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Matching Gifts

Your gift can change a life, your company’s gift another.

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OUR MISSION: SUICIDE PREVENTION

Elyssa’s Mission provides resources to help prevent teen suicide.

Beecher Junior High School Mental Health Awareness Walk


On May 1, 2024, students at BJHS organized a Mental Health Awareness Walk in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.  The morning was initially spent participating in small-group mental health activities.  This was followed by a whole-school assembly in which Elyssa’s Mission’s Director of SOS Programming, Jodie Segal, spoke briefly to students about the history behind Elyssa’s Mission, pointing out that while conversations
about mental health and suicide have gradually become less stigmatized over the past decade, we must continue to talk openly about mental illness in schools, educating and screening students through the SOS Signs of Suicide program.  The group then commenced a 3-mile walk together on a beautiful sunny day, ultimately congregating in the gym to
enjoy popsicles and recognize students’ fund-raising efforts. In addition to participating in the walk, students were encouraged to purchase a t-shirt and collect donations.  All monies raised from the event went toward supporting Elyssa’s Mission!  We are inspired by BJBS
students’ efforts to prioritize mental health and so grateful to the BJHS community for helping us bring SOS programming to even more new schools!