- September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although it is extremely important to address this year-round, this month highlights these issues and provides a time for mental health advocates, prevention organizers, survivors, allies, and community members to unite to promote suicide awareness. According to the Jason Foundation, which is dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth, shared that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for our youth ages 10-24 (2016, CDC WISQARS). Follow this link for more information: http://jasonfoundation.com/
Counselors, teachers, administration, clerks, custodians, parents, adults, and friends are in a key position to notice signs and to reach out to get help. Awareness and education are the first steps to prevention. Suicide is preventable. It is important to know the Warning Signs:
--Threats or comments about killing themselves, also known as
suicidal ideation, can begin with seemingly harmless thoughts like “I wish I wasn’t here” but can become more overt and dangerous
--Increased alcohol and drug use
--Aggressive behavior
--Social withdrawal from friends, family and the community
--Dramatic mood swings
--Talking, writing or thinking about death
--Impulsive or reckless behavior
--Giving away important possessions
--Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)
--Talk about being a burden to others
--Warning Signs and Risk of Suicide: https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Related-Conditions/Risk-of-Suicide
--Do NOT leave the person alone
--Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
- Our Unity leaders will be raising awareness at our school by hosting a different event each day. See the schedule/flyer below.
