The Red Flags program was created as a school-based depression awareness and intervention program by Mental Health America of Summit County. It is funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and endorsed by the Ohio Department of Education for school districts in Ohio. Red Flags is considered an "Effective Practice" program. Red Flags helps youth, parents and building staff recognize and respon
d to signs of depression and related mental health issues. The three-component program includes materials for building personnel, a 1-5 day curriculum for the students, and resources for parents and the community. The curriculum for the students is based on a short film entitled Thick 'n Thin: Understanding Teen Depression. The story focuses on the relationship between best friends as one of them struggles with depression. Upon completion of the curriculum, students should be able to identify the signs and symptoms of depression, and know how to seek help for a friend. The Center for Disease Control lists depression related su***de as the leading disease-related cause of death and disability in children between the ages of 11-24. As a Universal Prevention program, Red Flags involves the entire community and has been proven to reduce stigma, enhance emotional intelligence, and improve school climate. It is flexible, simple to implement and low cost. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Mental Health America evaluate Red Flags annually to assure its effectiveness and value.
