Each year, September is classified as National Suicide Prevention Month. This month is crucial to raise awareness about suicide prevention, remember those who lost their lives, acknowledge the people and communities that have been impacted, and spread hope to end this highly denounced topic.
While the month September is categorized as National Suicide Prevention Month, National Suicide Prevention Week is another major event that surrounds World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. As the week starts off on the World Suicide Prevention Day, it lasts till that following Sunday (September 16th). This week is utilized to share personal experiences while promote suicide prevention awareness, a topic which can be categorized as highly stigmatized.
According to National Alliance on Mental Health or NAMI, their goal throughout National Suicide Prevention Month is to both alter public opinion on this topic while advance the access to resources needed for individuals affected by suicide; providing a sense of hope and and information for this mental health condition.
In a school setting, Metea has set an extensive goal to prioritize student mental health and educate families, staff, and the student body of signs of an individual struggling.
“Mental health should always be a building priority. I feel that Metea does a great job at that. Building relationships with their students and promoting that between students and staff. This place is one of the best,” Mental Health Coordinator Amanda Pyzik said.
At Metea, Pyzik is being proactive in her role. While she just got back from maternity leave last week, she has plans for the student body in the near future.
“I’d like to bring in more outside community resources for parents to do some parent education and programming for dealing with mental health needs with adolescents,” Pyzik said.
Pyzik is also excited about implementing more preventative work throughout the school. While therapy dogs have been utilized in the past, homework club is another measure being taken to help students decrease stress levels.
“High school can be tough. So how can we support our student body, help encourage positive choices, prioritize mental health and balance schedules is key. It’s really finding that balance and prioritizing your health,” Pyzik said.
The mental health coordinator position was added to the staff of Metea to ensure students have a point person to go to in the building after being hospitalized. This supports the student to get them to get back on track with their work, stay connected with their family, and help solve any situations in the building that create a concern to the student.
“So as building, I think it’s so important for us to prioritize students’ mental health and, as professionals say, create balance in your schedule with health being a prime concern,” Pyzik said.
