Administration and social workers at SM North are taking Suicide Prevention Week seriously after a campaign by the district has taken place.

The campaign, called ‘#ZeroReasonsWhy, was started to help students across the state seek help to avoid taking their lives. It is being led by health experts, non-profit leaders, teacher advocates, student ambassadors, and parent volunteers. It originated this summer, kicking off into the early school year.

“I think the whole premise is, if kids are feeling this way, they need to seek help,” Assistant Principal David Ewers said. “They need to talk and need to share their thoughts.”

During the week of Sept. 9-15, North took action by sharing over the announcements the five things that students and staff could do when they are having these harmful thoughts. A community newsletter also came out during the month of September that had information in which could help others, as well as information on the SMSD website.

Principal Jeremy Higgins said that putting things out on social media is another place that students and parents could find other information about suicide prevention and how to find help.

“We are trying to make sure all schools have access to these things, and that we have representation on all these community panels,” social worker Emily Dorothy said. “So that is absolutely something I would like to bring to our school.”

The administration hopes the campaign shows they recognize that suicide is an issue and want to help the students and community. In 2018 alone, the suicide rate has doubled in the county compared to last year.

“To say that there is not an issue countywide, or statewide or nationwide would be burying your head in the sand,” Ewers said. ”I think that taking a proactive approach to it is incredibly important.”

To read more on the district’s campaign, go to the link below.

https://smnorth.smsd.org/students/counseling/suicide-prevention