September is National Suicide Prevention Month
September 17, 2020
This summer, the Thetford Academy community was devastated to lose two alumni to suicide. The loss of these young lives has impacted our community deeply, underscoring the important role we can all play in supporting those in crisis. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and we want to make sure that everyone in our school community is aware of the mental health and crisis support resources available both at TA and in our region.
At Thetford Academy, we work hard to build strong connections with each student, and to make sure our students know they have adults ready to listen and help them if they need support. If you are concerned about yourself, a family member, or a student, here are some of the people you can reach out to at TA. Below are some links to local resources and sources of information for those who are in immediate crisis, or are seeking to learn more about the topic of suicide prevention.
We want to take this opportunity, too, to thank Thetford Academy’s Class of 2013, who have partnered with the Clara Martin Center in Vermont to remember their classmate and colleague, Micah Porter. The Class created the “Micah Fund” to honor “Micah’s compassion and his unforgettable contributions to the Upper Valley” as a peer mentor and advocate for Upper Valley youth. All donations will be used to provide crucial assistance to teens and young adults in the community who are struggling. Thank you, Class of 2013.
TA Resources
School Counselors
Mark Pichette
Rebecca Walter
Molly Dugan-Sullivan
Student Assistance Provider
Kara Toms
Dean of Students
Siobhan Lopez
Director of Special Education
Deb Sanders-Dame
School Nurse
Sue Farrell
Local Mental Health Services
Clara Martin Center
Dartmouth Hitchcock
24-hour Hotlines
Clara Martin Center 24hr Emergency Services: (800) 639-6360
DHMC Psychiatric Emergencies: (800) 556-6249, press 7
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor
Wise: (603)448-5922 (crisis support, advocacy, prevention of gender based violence)
Learn More – Education and Resources
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Suicide Prevention Lifeline