Indian Lake High School students learned the steps Friday to take to save a friend’s life during a mental health crisis training session at their school.
Indian Lake High School students pick up wrist bands and highlighters featuring the local crisis hotline number, (800) 224-0422, and text number, “4HOPE” to 741741, Friday following their participation in the Youth Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Program. (PHOTO | INDIAN LAKE SCHOOLS)
Pupils participated in a Youth Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Program, which is an abbreviated version of the Mental Health First Aid training the entire staff of Indian Lake Schools took six weeks ago.
Consolidated Care Mental Health Case Managers Stephanie Ketchell and Carly St. Clair told nearly every freshman, sophomore, junior and senior that it is OK to ask a friend who is struggling if he or she is contemplating suicide.
“I want them to understand that talking about suicide is not going to make somebody do it, it’s not going to give them an idea. Talking about it opens the conversation and allows that person to express what they’re really going through,” Ketchell explained.
The team also explained to students how to ACT: Acknowledge that there are signs of depression, selfinjury or suicide; let your friend know that you Care and are Concerned for their well-being; and Tell a trusted adult about your worries.
Ketchell told the group that many young people fail to tell an adult because they are fearful their friend will be mad. However, she said in most cases, when the person suffering from depression finally gets treatment, they are thankful.
“I know it’s a bold statement,” Ketchell said. “But I would rather have an angry friend than have a friend who’s not here anymore.”
Read complete story in Monday’s Examiner.
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