September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In 2008, the U.S. declared that for the entire month of September, Suicide Prevention would be on top display. Why? Well, here are some of the facts:
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States overall. 720,000 people of all ages die from suicide every year. If we were to narrow it down to 10-34-year-olds, intentional injuries like suicide and overdoses take the lead. 49,300 high school students worldwide kill themselves or attempt suicide every year.
Think it doesn’t affect your community? Think again. I took it upon myself, not only as a reporter, but as a person with lived experience, to talk to the public. Our public. Sahuaro High School. Five anonymous Sahuaro students submitted their personal experiences.
“I’m known as the happiest person in my friend group, but when I get home, I pray to God and ask him to bring me home. I made two promises to myself. 1. Never put my sadness and my problems on the people around me. Because I care about them and they have their own troubles they’re facing. 2. Never take myself out. Only God is allowed to bring me home.” This anonymous 11th grader believes that suicide prevention should be talked about in schools.
“I almost committed three times, but the suicide hotline and teen helpline helped me out of it. I’ve never felt more alone in my life during these moments. Like a light was dimming.” This anonymous 11th grader believes that suicide prevention should be talked about in schools.
One student simply wrote, “Had suicidal thoughts, best friend attempted.” As their view on teaching it in schools goes, “Yes, because it can be difficult when nobody knows or understands what one’s going through.”
“I can’t even remember why I thought to pick up the razor. I just did… the last 7 years that became the way I would cope with the way I was feeling. It wasn’t healthy at all. It created a cycle of abuse that I would put myself through whenever I was upset. It hurt me in more ways than I can explain. Not just mentally or physically.” This anonymous 11th grader went on to say, “I think there should be more talks in school about mental health, especially in this day and age where everything feels so overwhelming and stressful… I think that if more teenagers knew there was someone they could come to, it would help a lot of kids read and hear stories like theirs.”
As not only a student of Sahuaro but a suicide survivor myself, you are not alone. No matter how deep the hole gets, there’s always a way to come out. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please reach out. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the Teen Lifeline at (520) 321-8336.
Even if you don’t feel comfortable talking to a professional, consider reaching out to a trusted friend. Because of my understanding and dedication to the cause, even my emails are open. The links to my email and Instagram are on my profile, which can be found below.
