In February 2022, Jack Collins, now a senior in college, Falmouth High Schoolwas diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
through a two-week online program Massachusetts General Hospitalhe spent hours on Zoom in individual and group sessions, learning to work closely with and deal with medical professionals.
“The biggest takeaway from this program is that there are more people out there who care about you than you know,” Collins said. “When you see someone in pain, tell them how much you care and how much you are there for them.”
Collins then joined Bridges for Resilient Youth in Transition. BRYT programFalmouth High School and Hope Squada nationally recognized group focused on suicide prevention.
“As part of the Hope Squad, we’ve been picked by our peers as good listeners because it’s much easier to talk to students than it is to talk to mental health professionals and teachers,” he said in an online forum Tuesday. Told.
The country has seen a 70% increase in youth suicide since 2007.
Youth suicide has increased by 70% nationwide since 2007, making it the second leading cause of death among young people. This is according to Dr. Kim Mead Walters, executive his director of the nonprofit, share kindnessand one of the panelists at the forum where Collins spoke. Federation of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area and YMCA Cape Cod Achiever Program
Tuesday’s forum focused on services needed to prevent youth suicide in the Cape. The executive will be moderated by his director Jackie Laine. NAMI Cape Cod and Islands, other panelists included State Senator Julian Cyr, who sponsored the Mental Health ABC Act 2.0.Danielle Rodriguez, Director of Substance Use Disorders Duffy Health CenterKatherine Fout, school coordination counselor at Falmouth High School;
COVID-19 has made everything difficult, especially for students.
Barnstable High School senior Logan Hurwitz lost a friend to suicide in May 2021.
“It can be hard to think of what could have been done differently, but a good way to make sure this doesn’t happen again is to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and see how they feel. “Imagine,” she said.
Suicide rates have increased in recent years due to COVID-19. Quarantine has made it difficult to lead a normal life, especially for students who were schooling from home.
“The pandemic has created a lot of isolation and has had a negative impact on people’s mental health. Everyone felt really alone,” she said.
In Hurwitz’s experience, her friends were always funny, bubbly, and happy-looking. What’s hard for her to deal with is not seeing the warning signs.
“It’s not enough to just check on people when you think they’re feeling down. You can never know what’s going on in another person’s mind, so check on everyone all the time.” We have to try to stay in,” Hurwitz said.
Death of Cape YouthSuicide prevention advocates hold forum after recent death of Cape youth
Quarantine the quarantined teenager.
Nauset High School junior Sophia Ryan attempted suicide twice in the three months before the pandemic began, but failed.
After spending a few weeks with other struggling high school students in a treatment center in Attleboro, she began learning how to help herself. We aim to
Ryan spoke about how the quarantine has pushed her further into depression.
“I was cut off from human contact and had to manage a lot of my time by myself. I spent it.”
Her message to students struggling with depression:
“You are not alone; it may feel like you, but I promise you there is someone out there who loves and cares for you.
She said that by reaching out and asking for help from those around her, the weight of her grief would lessen little by little.
Access to mental health support systems is key.
trevor project It is estimated that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ youth (ages 13-24) in the United States have suicidal thoughts each year, with at least one person attempting suicide every 45 seconds.
“I didn’t get much behavioral health support until I went to college,” said Senator Cyr. “I got access to mental health care and it made all the difference.”
Dr. Kim Mead-Walters highlights the key aspects of making students feel more connected in the school environment. According to the American School Counseling Association, now less than 20% of students who die by suicide have tried to access their school’s counseling center as a resource.
Falmouth High School’s Bridge Program provides educational support in specialized classrooms, mental health, and community-based settings for students returning from extended absences due to serious mental health conditions.
“I’ve seen a lot of struggling teens who are willing to talk, and the right networks give students that space within schools,” says Fauth.
Cape Cod Community College President John Cox was recently honored at the State Capitol. by Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Coalition (MCSP) For his work in making the university a leader in suicide prevention efforts statewide.
Community colleges have on-campus student wellness offices staffed by directors, clinicians and case managers to help students meet their basic needs, according to dean Christine McCarey. . The university also conducts trainings on campus, from mental health first aid to safe talking. According to Massachusetts Community College’s Suicide Prevention Procedures, the college also has a policy that essentially outlines what to do when encountering a student in imminent danger.
Peer support helps them get through tough times
Ryan said being with other high school students helped her heal. Collins and Hurwitz agreed, and she says that sharing her feelings with her friends and other students ultimately helped her to heal and deal with her problems.
At Falmouth High School, students come together to form groups and safe spaces that play a big role in addressing mental health issues, Fout said.
of National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Simply dial 988 or 877-870-4673 to reach us.
Rasheek Tabassum Mujib writes about medicine and education.contact her [email protected].
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