About STRIDES

STRIDES is a 10-week positive youth development program that is being implemented at Olympic Continuation High School in Los Angeles. STRIDES uses skill-building and 5k training sessions to decrease suicide risk factors by increasing self-esteem, self-efficacy and social support among students enrolled in the school's health class.

The program's skill-building sessions focus on topics such as stress management, positive body image, and goal setting. During the physical activity portion of STRIDES, participants train to run or walk a 5k. The topics covered in skill-building sessions are woven into the training portion of the program.

The culminating event of the program is a community 5k run/walk that acknowledges what the students have accomplished throughout the 10 weeks. The 1st Annual event took place on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at Dockweiler Beach in Playa del Rey. Nearly 150 community members attended the 5k event to show their support for the students.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for high school age students, and students at continuation schools have multiple risk factors. We hope this program will fill several gaps. First, most suicide interventions focus only at the level of crisis and not on the prevention of suicide risk factors. Second, these students may be lacking social and/or emotional support. We hope the skill-building sessions will help to build these support networks. Finally, Olympic Continuation High School does not offer extracurricular sports teams, so STRIDES' physical activity sessions increases exercise opportunities and the mental and physical health benefits associated with sports participation.

If you are interested in bringing STRIDES to your school or organization, please contact STRIDESLA@gmail.com.