*This article contains information about suicide and suicide prevention.

Now, maybe more than ever, given the current state global politics, climate change, and COVID-19 stress, suicide prevention is important. Suicide prevention  shouldn’t be something that needs a month to “raise awareness.” It should simply be something that everyone should contributes to and works together to understand with the aim of helping others. The world is working towards this goal, and there are so many ways to not only help yourself, but also others around you.

Suicide prevention necessitates measures at all levels of society. Individuals, families, and communities may all benefit from preventative and protective initiatives. Learning the warning signs, encouraging prevention and resilience, and committing to societal change can all assist to prevent suicide. Suicide is the greatest cause of mortality in school-aged children and adolescents. Suicide-minded teenagers regularly display warning indications of their despair. Parents, teachers, and friends are in a unique position to see these warning signals and seek assistance. The most important thing is to never dismiss these warning signs or promise to keep them hidden. We can help everyone before they engage in conduct with irreversible effects if all adults and students in the school community are committed to make suicide prevention a priority and are empowered to take the necessary steps. Take the time to look for signs that raise concern, and even the smallest amount of research on prevention and how to take action could save lives. 

Be there for whoever may be struggling with something – listen to them without judgement. Suicide and violence prevention is most effective when it is combined with supporting mental health services, involves the entire school community, and is embedded in a positive school climate through student behavioral expectations and a loving and trustworthy student/adult connection. We spend a significant portion of our day in school, where we are supervised by school officials. Here at Green Level, we not only have advisors ready to help us at any corner, but we also have personal counselors happy to help us whenever we need them. Green Level is a safe environment, and there is always someone in the building that wants nothing more than to help.

If you don’t feel comfortable with a friend, parent, educator, or anyone else that you know nearby, there are many private calls that you can make to services that are available at any hour of any day. Text the Crisis Text Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK . HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Both services are free and offered seven days a week, 24 hours a day. (All calls are kept private.)

If you are worried about a friend’s social media postings, contact the social media site immediately, or call 911 in an emergency. Visit the Lifeline or Crisis Text Line websites for additional information.