Indian Lake Schools students received a reminder that their lives matter during a recent assembly regarding mental health and suicide awareness.
The Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties, in collaboration with the Bellefontaine First Church of God, sponsored the visit for students in grades 7 through 12 by Jeff Hastings of the Warrior 180 non-profit foundation.
Hastings is a retired Armed Forces chaplain who now travels the country in his recreational vehicle speaking about post-traumatic stress and suicide prevention for members of the military and young people.
The speaker detailed one of the toughest times of his life when his soldier son was injured in battle and Hastings, himself, was deployed.
He described the feeling, ”I had to take everything I knew, everything I use to help others and use it for myself.”
Hastings said his message to students is simple.
“I wanted them to hear that you are valued, you are valuable, you are important and special. No matter what is going on in life, don’t give up.”
In addition, The Warrior 180 Foundation is hosting a Rally for Life at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Bellefontaine High School.
Hastings gave students three areas to build upon:
• Start taking better care of themselves by doing something simple like adding exercise, eating better or getting more rest. Students raised their hands and promised to take better care of themselves.
• Be a good friend by listening. Hastings urged the students to be aware of their body language, ask their friends questions about their lives and put their phones away during conversations.
• Know that you can save a life. Hasting told students to plainly ask if they suspect a friend is considering suicide. He said if a friend is exhibiting signs of suicide such as depression, isolation, and hopelessness, it’s OK to ask and tell a trusted adult.