Student participation on a school’s suicide prevention team involves designing and implementing a campaign that raises awareness about suicide. Campaigns also teach skills so that more students can recognize when a peer is depressed and in need of help. It does not mean that students on the suicide prevention team act as the “suicide police”. In fact, they usually don’t know if their campaign actually saved anyone’s life. They might know, however, if there are more requests for counseling help or fewer students eating alone at lunch time. Read about the experience of students involved in prevention teams.
We'd like to thank all of those who have taken the time to share their experiences and stories of hope. We hope you'll enjoy what they've got to say...
Orting High School Suicide Prevention Team Presents Again
Erica Winscot
Layout Editor
Suicide affects all people around the world. The students at Orting High School do our best to keep teenage students from committing suicide. Our Suicide Prevention team plays a big role in this.
This year, presentations were on Tuesday, Feb. 8. The team went around to several freshmen classes and talked to students about the causes, signs, and ways to help people who may be, or think they may be suicidal.
Every year this team grows by leaps and bounds. A couple years ago there were about ten students. Last year’s team had over 30 students. With almost 30 participants again this year, the team was sure they’d have great success.
Each year the Trevor R. Simpson award is granted to a big school and little school that does some event to try to prevent youth suicide. Orting High School received this scholarship last year. The Trevor R. Simpson award is given by the family of this teen who killed himself several years ago. It is a $500 award to put towards replacing items in the program, buying new materials, and funding the group overall. With all the cuts being made in our budget, this grant will help to keep this program alive for several more years.
Mr. Matz said his main goal for the team this year is “giving quality presentations to get students to stop and think of how to help their friends.”
“It is very encouraging to see more and more people doing it every year,” stated Mr. Matz.
If you believe someone you know is suicidal, don’t be afraid to talk to them. Don’t leave the person alone, and always know you can tell an adult. Sometimes they have better advice than you might. There are also some suicide prevention hotlines people can call, which are open 24/7.
You do not have to be part of M.A.C. to participate in suicide prevention. Every year the team is looking for students interested in helping their peers. If you’re interested in it, be sure to talk to Mr. Matz about becoming part of the team.
Jacob B. - student at Central Kitsap Junior High
Some people may shy away from the subject of youth suicide. They may think it's rather depressing and they feel awkward and uncomfortable to talk about it. That's the way I felt the first time I was asked to join the "Trevor Simpson" award winning team of Central Kitsap Junior High.
To be completely honest, I was kind of shy about joining the team because I felt out of place a bit to be talking about the subject. With the help of my two great counselors, David Keller and Sharon Goodman, they helped me see the big picture about youth suicide through their eyes and they welcomed me and made me feel comfortable when I realized that I was in the right place.
It wasn't until later that I found out that shying away from youth suicide is part of the problem (dismissing the issue). Mr. Keller and Mrs. Goodman made youth suicide prevention a wonderful experience for me and truly opened my eyes about the subject. Now being my third year on the team, I have learned how to prevent, help, and hopefully someday decrease the number of suicides in Washington.
This team teaches so much valuable information that it's a shame that not everyone can join. The seriousness and reality of the subject is strong in the sense that youth suicide is a huge problem. My biggest and definitely most powerful experience would have to be when I went to the hospital in Bremerton to a Youth Suicide conference to perform practiced games and skits to families who have had children or relatives die under this devastating problem.
The room got very heavy and emotional and right then it struck me, the pain and sadness of everyone finally made me realize the big and true issue that was going on all around me.
Mr. Keller and Mrs. Goodman have made it a true honor to be a part of the team at school. They have shown me importance and urgency in this matter and that alone has taught me a lot. My two counselors have been great leaders and have definitely done everything in their power to teach us this importance and for that they have done the kids of my school and me a huge favor.
David Keller - insights on YSPP from an Advisor's perspective
One of the greatest impacts of the YSPP program is on the students that have been trained as presenters/leaders. In the 6 years we have had the program in our school, all our students have remained a part of the YSPP group all three years of their time in our junior high. It is clear that our students realize the importance of the helper role they are filling in our school. As a counselor it is extremely rewarding to see the learning and growth of these students. Many of them have commented that being a part of YSPP was one of the most significant educational experiences they had at our junior high. Seeing the level of empathy and compassion these students develop for their peers is phenomenal.
