Prevent Increasing Suicide Rates through School-Student Communication


Prevent Increasing Suicide Rates through School-Student Communication
The Issue
In 2022, there were an estimated 1.6 million suicide attempts in the United States. Of those, 49,476 were successful (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention). In recent years, U.S. school systems have implemented more programs that support students and prevent suicide, such as Signs of Suicide (SOS) and Sources of Strength. Schools now hire specialized mental health professionals, include presentations on mental health and suicide prevention, and train teachers in suicide prevention. However, like Sources of Strength believes, kids and much more likely to vocalize their suicidal thoughts to fellow peers rather than adults. While teacher training is very valuable, teachers often do not know students well enough to know when they are struggling or how much. Because of this, teacher intervention often occurs too late or not at all. To remedy this problem, I want to propose a way for students to communicate concerns about their peers. Because students are much closer with their friends than teachers, it is often the students that notice signs of depression and suicide first. I want schools to be required to have a form that students can fill out when they notice a peer may be having suicidal thoughts. The goal of this form would be to have concerns communicated with school staff as soon as possible, so that help can be sought for struggling students. By encouraging communication with students and staff, help can be sought for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts before it is too late. We must act now to save the lives of students who commit suicide every day. Even if this form saves just one life, isn't it worth it?
81
The Issue
In 2022, there were an estimated 1.6 million suicide attempts in the United States. Of those, 49,476 were successful (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention). In recent years, U.S. school systems have implemented more programs that support students and prevent suicide, such as Signs of Suicide (SOS) and Sources of Strength. Schools now hire specialized mental health professionals, include presentations on mental health and suicide prevention, and train teachers in suicide prevention. However, like Sources of Strength believes, kids and much more likely to vocalize their suicidal thoughts to fellow peers rather than adults. While teacher training is very valuable, teachers often do not know students well enough to know when they are struggling or how much. Because of this, teacher intervention often occurs too late or not at all. To remedy this problem, I want to propose a way for students to communicate concerns about their peers. Because students are much closer with their friends than teachers, it is often the students that notice signs of depression and suicide first. I want schools to be required to have a form that students can fill out when they notice a peer may be having suicidal thoughts. The goal of this form would be to have concerns communicated with school staff as soon as possible, so that help can be sought for struggling students. By encouraging communication with students and staff, help can be sought for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts before it is too late. We must act now to save the lives of students who commit suicide every day. Even if this form saves just one life, isn't it worth it?
81
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Petition created on July 11, 2024