The month of September marks the valued campaign for suicide prevention, bringing light and support to those struggling or those who struggled in the past with mental health. This month raises awareness for those suffering from suicidal ideation by providing countless resources, sharing critical information and clearing public perception. As an essential movement, Suicide Prevention Month spreads positivity within a community facing difficulties by fostering an environment for people to help others.
“I think that Suicide Prevention Month is important because it brings awareness to something that goes really unnoticed. A lot of people struggle with mental health but are too afraid to say something and during Suicide Prevention Month, students may feel more open to discussing these hard topics with a trusted adult. It also lets students know that they can reach out to someone and seek help if they are struggling with their mental health,” magnet senior Isabella Alves said.
Suicidal thoughts impact the way people think. Commonly stemming from depression, suicidal thoughts consist of wishes of death while extreme cases can lead to suicide attempts — including acts of self-harm with the goal of taking one’s life. The act of suicide indicates a critical mental health crisis that affects all ages, ethnicities and genders.
The simple but mighty act of raising awareness may seem like a partial contribution, but the month truly creates waves and sparks conversation on the everlasting topic. Additional events on the matter of suicide include World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) and National Suicide Prevention Week, the week leading up to WSPD. Organized and established by the World Health Organization and International Association for Suicide Prevention in 2004, WSPD, recognized on September 10, marks a specific day for reducing stigma and prioritizing the new policy in the US government.
Over 720,000 people die each year due to suicide, and a majority of these deaths center in the 15-29 year old age range. These acts of harm can begin in any negative or life-changing event over the course of one’s life, prioritizing the need for public outreach of a simple message: support and positivity. Those participating in spreading the helpful message of Suicide Prevention Month this year can create a vital difference in someone’s life.
Initiating positive conversations stands as the crucial way to bring notice to the issue of suicide. Taking action involves a system of support and care from loved ones and even strangers; the straightforward act of kindness can become a remedy to intensely negative thoughts and actions. Medical action stands as another aid to suicide, including the spread of hotline numbers. Doctors can diagnose individuals with suicidal ideation so that they can keep watch and provide them with the proper protection and a loving community, whether in or outside of the hospital.
“As students, we can be kind to people and let them know that they are cared for to uplift each other. It is hard to know what people are truly going through even if you spend every day with them, so expressing that you are open to listening to them if they are comfortable talking about it can really help. We can also uplift each other by giving each other little compliments. I know that when I’m having a hard day and someone gives me a compliment as simple as telling me they’re proud of me it really helps me,” Alves said.
NC provides students with access to counselors, along with tight-knit relationships between staff and students. Various resources appear around the school including the hotline number on the back of student identification cards and on posters hung throughout the hallways. The month of September monumentally draws attention to the mental health crisis and requires the willpower of the community to uplift and support peers and those struggling.
“Suicide Prevention is important for students because it is never easy to tell what someone is going through just from how they act, people could always be going through things in private but act so differently in public. Clubs like Sources of Strength (SOS) give students an outlet to express their feelings and become mentors to other students outside the club, allowing them to do the same. Treating everyone with basic respect regardless of any preconceived notions you may have about them,” magnet senior Antonia Guerrero said.
