Trigger Warning: Discussion of Suicide, Self Harm and Mental Health
In the midst of a raging global pandemic, alongside suicide being one of the leading causes of death in teens, it’s important to discuss mental health in our school community. These discussions ensure the overall health and security of our friends, family and the holistic school community.
It is crucial to address mental health in our communities. Mental health impacts our day-to-day interactions such as how we talk, feel and work, affecting all parts of our lives. This integral part of personal welfare and is often disregarded in comparison to physical health. It’s common to battle mental distress in life however there is an overwhelming amount of negative stigma surrounding this topic evoking a feeling isolation and despondency with those struggling. Thus, by talking about mental health more, we create a more accepting and welcoming environment, identifying the best coping mechanisms and recovery plans.
To create a supportive environment the school held campus walk for suicide prevention, raising awareness on the stigmatised topic. The support shown throughout the community was indescribable and integral as we move forward with preventing suicide in teens whilst learning the struggles people go through and how we may help them.
Numerous members in our school attended the Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk in association with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP). The Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk aimed to raise $5,000, this target was met and surpassed raising a total of $5,647.
We interviewed our school counsellor, Devon DeCataldo who highlighted the prevelance of this issue.
She spoke about the statistic that 1 in 5 people suffer with a mental health in concern in their lifetime and that suicide is one of the leading causes of death in teenagers. Ms. DeCataldo discussed that if teenagers cannot recognise or simply overlook patterns in their peers or themselves then struggles might be neglected. Engaging in events creates less stigmas around mental health, allowing more people being likely to reach out for help when they need it. Moreover, Ms. Decaltado shared the sentiment that “ignoring your problems doesn’t make them go away”, but only prolongs the time in which you must face them.
It’s important that everyone, even you reading this very article, joins in to help spread awareness about depression, anxiety and all other struggles teens face throughout their school life that hinder their day to day happiness. Knowing that if anyone feels they need aid regarding their mental health our school community will be there is important to be reminded of.
For further information on the walk and ways to donate please you can visit: https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=7456
For further resources regarding mental health or seeking help you can visit:
Crisis Text Line- https://www.crisistextline.org/
Suicide Prevention Lifeline- https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Trevor Lifeline (for LGBTQ youth)- https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
1-800-273-8255 or text "HOME" to 74174.
Editor: Minna Abdel-Gawad
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