Suicide Prevention Month lasts during the month of September to advocate for suicide awareness by uniting people within the community and sharing one another’s story. Suicide Prevention Month is an especially important topic at high schools as many teenagers face mental struggles that can harm them.
Suicide Prevention Month was first recognized and formed in Sept. 2008. The month consists of highlighting people who are or have been affected by suicide. Many organizations make it a goal to spread information and resources to promote the cause.
Organizations such as the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are passionate about the mental and emotional health of people, and they established Sept. 10 as the World Suicide Prevention Day.
The goal of forming these awareness dates are to help encourage people within their communities to reach out and seek help. Suffering from mental health issues can make it increasingly difficult to ask for someone’s advice due to the fear of being misjudged or not understood. However, Suicide Prevention Month demonstrates to society that they are not alone in their battles.
Noelia Rodriguez Martinez (11), shares, “I know a lot of people that have gone through hard challenges in their lives, but I think by surrounding themselves with love and support from the people around them can help them a lot.”
Some people may choose to believe that they are alone in their battles against suicide; however, there are countless people that can be from one’s work, school or team that is struggling with issues similar to their own.
A club at ANHS called “Your Story Matters” helps students come to a safe environment to share what they have personally experienced or felt in their lives.
Rijul Kashyap (11), the President of the “Your Story Matters” club, says “We are trying to break the stigma of talking about mental health and making people more open. For me, I think the biggest thing would be opening up to people about what you’re dealing with so at least you know you’re not alone.”
It is especially important to have safe outlets for students who are in school due to the pressure and stress teenagers can endure from grades, sports or family conflicts. Clubs such as “Your Story Matters” can help change the mindset of a person going through tough mental challenges.
For Suicide Prevention Month, a theme for its commemoration is chosen each year. The theme for 2024 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.” The theme of this year further adds to the idea that there should not be a stigma surrounding people with mental health struggles, but instead there is a community backing up and facilitating the growth of people thinking about or wanting to commit suicide.
Suicide prevention has also become spread through the symbol of a yellow ribbon. The choice of having yellow as the national color of this suicide movement is used to demonstrate the happiness that is still waiting to come in one’s life. The yellow is contrary to a blue or dark color that has a negative connotation to greatly implement the idea that seeking help is the best way to move forward in life from unfortunate circumstances.
