The month of September is suicide prevention month. It was created to raise awareness about suicide. Many people struggle with suicidal thoughts regardless of their age, gender, or background. The month of September is used to shift the public’s perspective on suicide awareness, to spread hope, and to share information with those affected by suicide. The goal of this month is to ensure individuals, families, and friends have access to the resources they need to seek help and discuss suicide prevention.
Among teens and young adults, it is unfortunately common for them to experience suicidal thoughts. Around 11% of young adults ages 18-25 have reported having serious suicidal conceptions. These numbers are higher among high school students. Nearly 20% have reported serious suicidal thoughts. 9% of those high school students report an attempt. United States death rate from suicide five years ago was 14 per 100,000 people. These numbers have increased over the years among teens and young adults. While these numbers are overwhelming, there are many ways to prevent these numbers from increasing. Many lives will be saved once people can properly support and identify those who have been struggling with their mental health.
Loveland High School provides help to those who are struggling. There are students from each grade who are a part of Hope Squad. The Hope Squad runs a “Hope Week” for students to participate in. A few examples of Hope Week events are therapy dogs during lunch, bounce houses and mental health representation. During Hope Week, owners of well-behaved and registered therapy dogs are brought in for students to pet during lunch. A variety of therapy dogs are brought in for all students. Another event is a bounce house, which is brought into the lunch room so students can go to it during lunch. Anyone is welcome to participate in using the bounce house in honor of mental health. Hope Squad also encourages all students to wear the colors teal and purple to represent the importance of emotional health. Non-profit organizations help contribute to all of these events.
Hope Squad has quite a few responsibilities. Some of these include being the eyes and ears of the school. If students need to talk or show signs of risk they need to be referred by a member of Hope Squad to an adult immediately. Members of Hope Squad are expected to educate other students about risks and signs if they see any in a peer or themselves. They are supposed to let others know about the helplines and who to contact when in need. Other students' information or health who are struggling is strictly confidential. Hope Squad members are anticipated to attend all of the meetings about the school and help coordinate to plan events and activities for Hope Week. While the Hope Squad is there for the other students, they are also supposed to make sure they are okay and must make time for themselves. They provide a large amount of aid to the students of Loveland High School. These are a few ways to help spread awareness about Suicide Prevention Month.
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