Student leaders in Thetford Academy’s Getting to Y team marked Suicide Prevention Month (September) with a series of informative presentations and activities designed to instill hope and share resources with the school community.
The team offered Mental Health Trivia during Power Hour – spin the wheel, answer a question, and earn a prize! The questions included things like, “Share three things for which you are grateful,” “What are two self-care activities that someone can do if they are feeling down,” and “Name three people to whom you could turn if you need someone to talk to.”
They also performed a dramatic reading about suicide prevention at assembly, followed by a presentation about how to best support someone – and what resources are available – when they express suicidal ideation or are having a mental health crisis.
At a Post-It event later in the week, students were invited to share “a positive message to brighten someone’s day,” “what to say to someone when they need support,” and “what is important to them and worth living for.”
Looking ahead, TA is hosting a screening of “Gone Guys,” a documentary about male social isolation and its consequences on Nov. 10 in the Martha Jane Rich Theater. (More details to come.)
The work of Getting to Y during Suicide Prevention Awareness month was aimed to ensure all students know that:
- At Thetford Academy, every student matters.
- If you feel hopeless—or you just don’t feel like yourself—don’t keep it inside.
- Help is available – don’t wait.
- Together we can work to prevent suicide.
