Sources of Strength (Sources) is an upstream, Strength-based suicide prevention and mental health promotion organization. The program employs a protective factor framework to boost resilience in the lives of young people, with the evidence base to show that the further we move upstream to support the development and identification of protective factors that promote healthy lives, the better equipped young people will be to navigate the natural ups and downs of life.

Sources of Strength Elementary is a social and emotional learning program that provides a universal classroom curriculum designed for each grade level for grades kindergarten through fifth grade. The model also includes a 2-day Elementary Coaches Training. This training helps participants become fluent in the curriculum content and offers tools to facilitate ongoing Coaching Meetings for personal reflection and connection to support staff wellness. The Elementary program is informed by the Sources Secondary Peer Leader model, which is an empirically research-based model that has been implemented in US schools for 25+ years. The Elementary model follows the same tenets of the evidence-based Secondary Model; emphasizing upstream, strength-based, positive youth development, and youth adult connection approaches.

Sources Elementary was introduced to US schools in Fall 2020. Evidence is emerging that indicates the program’s positive impact on students and adults. A mixed methods retrospective study conducted by CO State University revealed statistically significant improvements for students in utilizing strengths and navigating difficulties, healthy coping, school climate, and co-regulation; and statistically significant improvements for staff in adult self-awareness, adult self-management, and adult relationship skills. Another preliminary study conducted by the University of OR found that 92 percent of Sources trained Elementary Coaches reported students actively applying their learning in real-life situations. A study evaluating results across 11 elementary schools and 1,023 elementary students found greater program exposure associated with improved positive classroom climate, school belonging, help-seeking attitudes, student well-being, resiliency, and lower reports of emotional problems.

Sources Elementary has been implemented in urban, suburban, rural, and tribal settings and presently partners with over 1,100 schools in 26 States and Washington D.C., and in Manitoba, Canada.