Teacher Jennie Campbell works with a student recently at Jennings County High School in North Vernon.
Submitted photo
National Suicide Prevention Week was the first week of September, a week dedicated to all of those who lost their battle with mental health, are still struggling, and to help spread awareness to prevent suicide.
The award-winning filmmakers of the movie “Trevor” founded The Trevor Project in 1998 to address suicide among LGBT youth. The film tells a story of a 13-year-old boy who committed suicide after his friends found out his sexuality.
Mental illness affects nearly 1 in 6 children and 1 in 5 adults in the United States. About 50% of those who struggle with mental illnesses are diagnosed by the age of 14.
A teacher at Jennings County High School, Jennie Campbell, shares her personal insights on how suicide affected her life. “I think it affected me in the deepest ways. There were the obvious emotions like shock, sadness, anger, and disappointment, but what other people don’t think about is the aftermath of suicide, how it affects the family or loved ones he left behind and their mental health.”
Preventing suicide starts in the simplest places, starting with home.
Having a strong support system and being able to openly communicate about your feelings is one of the best ways to start.
Secondly, schools and teachers play a very important role. Some children use school as an escape to get away from home. Students who do not have a connection or relationship with a trusted adult at home may need someone they can look up to or come to for advice at school.
Campbell also added, “The good that came out of it is that I have become much more open-minded, my heart has opened even more than I ever thought it could. I have always been a mental health advocate but even more so now. I want people to know that others struggle with it every day in silence and they don’t have to.”
One way Campbell thinks we can help prevent suicide is to be kind. “If we were all kind to each other, maybe we would see less of suicide. If we can say one kind word to someone every day, maybe it would make a difference in someone’s life.”
Suicide may never completely disappear, but minimizing it will forever be the goal.
If you or someone you love are suicidal or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a trusted adult or call the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988.
Chloe Brookbank is a student at Jennings County High School. Send comments to [email protected].
Chloe Brookbank is a student at Jennings County High School. Send comments to [email protected].
