The week of September 7th is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Week. It is all about spreading awareness and helping people who are struggling with their mental health. It started from World Suicide Prevention Day, which was first held on September 10, 2003, by the World Health Organization. Over time, it developed into a week and then a whole month. This week has helped start hotlines and school programs that give people a safe space to talk. Social media has also played a big part by sharing stories, creating support groups, and providing other outlets for people to use. During Suicide Prevention Week, people wear purple and teal to show support and raise awareness. Purple represents suicide prevention, while teal stands for mental health awareness. It also shows support for open conversations about mental health. By wearing these colors, we help encourage kindness and promote understanding. It’s a simple but powerful way to spread awareness. At PGHS, there are many resources that you can use if you are struggling with mental health. Ms. Cordova, our school mental health therapist, is an amazing way to communicate your thoughts and she can help with seeking assistance with mental health. Montage Health’s Ohana Youth Mental Health has programs from free community classes to support groups. Their programs take each individual situation into consideration and help meet each child’s needs.

Thanks to Suicide Prevention Month, more people understand the warning signs and how to help. It has truly made a difference around the world by breaking the stigma and spreading kindness.

Important resources

• The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support 24/7. You can connect with a trained crisis counselor by calling or texting 988.
• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) organizes events to raise awareness and fund research.
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides toolkits and resources to help people talk about suicide prevention.