Disclaimer: The following article contains references to suicide and depression; it may be triggering to readers. Please be advised.
As September was Suicide Prevention Month, and October is Depression Awareness Month, bringing awareness to the main cause of suicide is valuable, so people can know the early signs and help loved ones with depression, be there of support, and listen to them when needed.
Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in the U.S., and there are an estimated 1.5 million suicide attempts. 91% of adults surveyed in the U.S. think suicide can be prevented at some point in time, as said by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 49,000 people in the United States died in 2023 by suicide. Yet the besmirching of mental health has caused many controversies throughout the past two decades, leading people to keep how they feel to themselves.
Suicide Prevention Month’s purpose is to bring awareness to all of those struggling minds, and during September, as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) states, “Start a Conversation, Be the Difference.” Talking to someone and asking how they are truly feeling can do so much for a person.
Connectivity can be helpful in times of need. “Listening is the most important thing you can do for a person,” said OH senior Shayna Escomilla.
Similarly, OH senior Savannah Morris said, “I think [talking] can help a lot of people who are struggling, it brings a lot of awareness to a subject that isn’t talked about enough.”
Because of how people are struggling, some do not know how to cope. Rethink Mental Illness recommends calling a hotline like 988, talking to a trusted adult, teacher, counselor, social worker, or parent.
“I [have] some activities I like to do to take my mind off of things,” said Morris. “Doing little things such as crafts or riding a bike can help you get out of a depressive cycle.”
Adolescents love to repost on social media, especially about mental health. Specifically, on Instagram, with 1.5M followers, the Happiness Project was founded in 2017 after a classmate was lost to suicide. The project’s aim is to bring people together with their recognizable mascot and informational posts about different, postive things happening in the world.
“They offer more resources to students,” said Morris, “and [people can] talk about it not only during [Mental Health Awareness Month], but all year round.”
The Happiness Project also offers merchandise, with 15% of the profits donated to mental health initiatives. As of press time, over $300,000 has been raised by The Happiness Project to help with suicide prevention. It is incredibly beneficial as so many teenagers know the project, follow, and repost their content.
“I would try my best to help them understand why they have such an important place on this Earth,” said Morris.
I love to read and write poetry, I'm a first year reporter in 11th grade. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
