Suicide Prevention Month
Lexington, KY. Leo Downs, a senior at Lafayette High School, reading a suicide prevention pamphlet from the Mental Health specialists at school.
Suicidal thoughts can affect everyone, and different people handle it in many different ways. Often people try to hide it, but they show signs that loved ones don’t take into consideration. September was first declared as National Suicide Prevention Awareness month in 2008. This month was created to reduce stigma, remember those we lost, and promote treatment and resources to help people get better.
Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues. The “Invisible disease,” according to administrator Claire Gorski, is the second most leading cause of death for young people aged 10-24 in Kentucky and the rates are continuing to increase. Suicide should not be taken lightly.
The full Senate of Kentucky has already approved the measure to give students quick access to crisis prevention phone numbers by putting them on every school badge. Not only in Kentucky, but more than half of all states in the U.S. currently require that educators receive training to help prevent suicide. The state also requires that every public school shall provide suicide prevention awareness information in person, by live streaming, or via a video recording information to all students in grades six through twelve by September 15 of each year.
Lafayette High School dedicates a week for this topic by having mental health workers talk to students and hand out a pamphlet that give information about teen suicide and talk about warning signs you may want to look out for. Asscociate Principal of Lafayette, Claire Gorski, says ”Bringing attention to Suicide is the first step to saving a life.” The school provides as many resources as they can to help the students and give them the support they need.
Resources:
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or text HELLO to 741741
LGBTQ Youth Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline: 866-488-7386
Violet Updike currently is a sophomore at Lafayette High School. She is the Chief Photographer for The Lafayette Times, she is in Symphonic Orchestra and...
