Sources of Strength
Category: Mental Health Literacy, Suicide Prevention, Substance Use Disorder
Modality: Presentation
Summary
Sources of Strength is a strength-based prevention curriculum. Students and staff are invited into creating communities where belonging, wellness, and connection are the norm, leading to increased purpose and agency, therefore diminishing downstream negative outcomes. Our model creates a cultural shift and moves to increase health and wellness through empowering individuals and communities of belonging and connection to Empower a Well World.
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Not available at this time.
Implementation
Below are key implementation details for this program. These specifications help determine if the program is a good fit for your school or organization.
Grade(s)
Elementary (K-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
Setting
Classroom, Schoolwide
Language
English, Spanish
Cost
Contact provider
# Lessons
approx 24 - varies by grade level
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
None required
Staffing Requirements
No additional staffing needed
Professional Development
Onsite virtual Train the Trainer
Outcomes
Decreased substance use
Improved attitude/behavior related to substance use
Advocate for reducing stigma associated with emotional and mental and behavioral health
Compare & contrast emotional, mental-behavioral illness, mental well-being and concurrent disorders
Decreased suicidal behavior
Describe how self-harm or suicide impacts other people
Describe laws related to minors accessing mental health care
Explain how to help someone who is thinking about attempting suicide
Identify school and community resources that can help a person with emotional, mental and behavioral health concerns
Improved Academic Performance
Improved attitude/behavior related to suicide
Improved identification of individuals at-risk for suicide
Improved Identity Development/ Agency
Improved Prosocial Behavior
Improved School Climate
Improved School Connectedness
Improved SEL Skills and Attitudes
Improved Teaching Practices
Increased help-seeking behavior
Reduced Emotional Distress
Reduced Problem Behavior
Mental Health Literacy Components
This program addresses the following mental health literacy components:
Understanding stigma and strategies for stigma reduction
Understanding how to foster & maintain positive mental health
Understanding how to seek help effectively
Understanding common mental health disorders, signs and symptoms, and treatments
Evidence of Effectiveness
Sources of Strength has been evaluated by three primary outcomes studies. Most recently, a RCT funded by the CDC found that odds of suicide attempt decreased by 29% (Wyman et al., 2025). Another study combined three RCTs, finding a significant reduction in suicide mortality in schools implementing the intervention (Wyman et al., 2023). An additional study trained peer leaders to help implement the program, resulting in an increase in students being connected to adults (Wyman et al., 2010).
Published Studies
Wyman, P. A., Brown, C. H., LoMurray, M., Schmeelk-Cone, K., Petrova, M., Yu, Q., Walsh, E., Tu, X., & Wang, W. (2010). An outcome evaluation of the sources of strength program delivered by adolescent peer leaders in high schools. American Journal of Public Health, 100(9), 1653-1661. https://
doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2009.190025
Wyman, P., Cero, I., Brown, C. H., Espelage, D., Pisani, A., Kuehl, T., & Schmeelk-Cone. (2023). Impact of Sources of Strength on adolescent suicide deaths across three randomized trials. Injury Prevention, 28(5), 442-445. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip-2023-044944
Wyman, P. A., Cero, I. J., Espelage, D. L., Reif, T., Mintz, S., LoMurray, S., Nickodem, K., Schmeelk-Cone, K. H., & Delgado, A. (2025). RCT of sources of strength testing impact on suicide attempts and tests of moderation by sexual violence victimization and perpetration. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 68(3), 465-474. https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2024.11.008