With September being nationally recognized as Suicide Prevention Month, Homewood High School has made an increased effort to educate students and staff on the dangers and signs of this leading cause of death for teens.
As a result of the pandemic, mental health has become an increasingly relevant topic worldwide. The normalization of openly talking about mental health in the past few years has introduced readily accessible resources for those seeking help.
Zach Butler, 10th and 11th grade social and emotional counselor and peer helper sponsor said his goal was to “Destigmatize talking about mental health and make it something that is not secretive to open up about if you are struggling.”
Teachers and students in certain organizations, such as peer helpers, are being trained to help those experiencing mental health problems. These students can inform peers about the resources available to them, and teachers can heighten their awareness of students who are exhibiting signs of struggle.
The HHS administration has also made an effort to send out announcements and reminders to students about the importance of good mental health and that there is a whole group of teachers, other staff members and even peers that can offer support if needed.
Hotline numbers are scattered in the HHS hallways, and counselors are helping students heighten awareness of the signs of suicide through conversation and other means.
“We need to talk about [suicide], because it will happen, or more if we don’t talk about it,” said Mallory Killam, a peer helper sponsor and history teacher at HHS.
Many student organizations like peer helpers and the kindness club have stayed involved with the student body this month to spread awareness and positivity. Junior and peer helper Allie Grace Broadhead has contributed to the cause by organizing a fundraiser for April 18, 2-4 pm at Homewood Patriot Park.
Killam has implemented more activities to get students and the community involved with suicide awareness. Last year, she introduced bracelet-making and even acquired gift certificates from local businesses like Taco Mama and Edgewood Creamery to hand out to students. All of these efforts are intended to let students know there is a community full of love and support backing them.
Along with the hotline numbers hung around the school, there are also posters informing of the indicators that someone is struggling with mental health problems.
Butler says additional signs he looks for in students are changes in behavior, dropping grades and drug and alcohol abuse.
In 2023, 209,225 Americans died due to substance abuse or suicide. That is why Butler has made it part of his mission for the peer helpers to focus on decreasing drug and alcohol use in the student body.
Despite September coming to an end, suicide prevention efforts should not, and HHS is continuing to raise awareness year-round through various student organizations and communities.
Butler hopes that any student struggling with mental health feels loved and seen at HHS, and he wants them to hear this message:
“Life is worth living and there is another side to this,” Butler said. “Just because you are experiencing these thoughts now doesn’t mean that you have to experience them for the rest of your life. There is help out there and people that care about you and love you.”
