Second only to road injuries, suicide is the leading cause of death in American teens.
As of 2023, nearly 20% of students have considered suicide. That is roughly one in every five students, Counselor Mrs. Oakleaf said.
Although difficult conversations like suicide prevention are often the hardest to have, they usually end up being the most influential.
“It’s unfortunate that whether you realize it or not, everyone knows someone who has at least considered suicide,” Oakleaf said. “You can be a part of the solution even if you don’t fully understand the problem.”
If a student wants to get involved in spreading awareness there are thousands of opportunities across the globe to support suicide prevention.
“If you don’t have that [support], start by being that for others,” Oakleaf said.
The counselors aren’t the only people wanting to spread awareness. The student council is getting involved as well.
“I care a lot,” Student Council President Lylah Duffy said. “The whole Student Council really does want to spread awareness so that no one struggles alone.”
The Student Council is planning to create a “You matter poster,” to line the halls with encouragement, get students involved and to serve as a reminder that every student matters.
“There is always going to be someone that cares about you,” Duffy said.
Suicide prevention is more than a month; it’s not only about remembering those who have lost their lives to suicide, but it’s also about being encouraging and supporting students who are still with us. Support can be a person, a campus, an action or a conversation, but mostly, it is about starting the conversation.
“You can always do one more of anything if you just break it down,” Counselor Ms. Bowland said. “Anybody can do it one more time: I can take one more shower. I can go to bed one more time. I can get up one more time. I can go to school one more day. So you keep doing one more, a million more times.”
According to the official 988 Helpline, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7 across the United States and its territories. If a student is ever struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out to 988 via text, call, or email, or a student can use the chat box at 988lifeline.org. Text “MHA” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. The official helpline has text, call and email abilities that are available to anybody, anywhere.