What is Sources of Strength?

Sources of Strength (Sources) is a best practice prevention program designed to harness the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing violence, suicide, bullying, and substance misuse. This student-led program aims to increase help-seeking behaviors and promote connections between peers and caring adults. Sources of Strength moves beyond a singular focus on risk factors by utilizing an upstream approach to youth violence and suicide prevention. This upstream model strengthens multiple protective factors (Strengths) around young individuals so that when times get hard, they have strengths to rely on. The eight key protective factors are: family support, positive friends, mentors, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality, mental health, and physical health.

How To Get Involved

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research has shown that Sources of Strength implementation—when carried out with fidelity—can lead to improvements in attendance, reductions in bullying, substance misuse, violence, and suicidal ideation, and lower dropout rates. These outcomes align closely with our district’s goals outlined in Guardrails 2 and 3, ensuring safe, supportive environments for all students and addressing critical social-emotional needs. In addition, Sources of Strength is a peer-to-peer program approved by the State of North Carolina, fulfilling the HB605 requirement for secondary schools to have a program dedicated to Threat and Violence Prevention.