Since 2007 Suicide rates among High School Students in Utah has nearly tripled according to The Salt Lake Tribune. This problem is so dominant and yet Most schools in Utah do not talk about Suicide awareness.

On average, youth make up 5.1% of all suicides and 22.7% of suicide attempts according to https://health.utah.gov/ . This is a serious issue and should be treated as such. Those who survive are injured and are probably struggling with depression or any other mental illness.

Students who are struggling with a mental illness and suicidal thoughts should talk with their parents or an adult they trust. It isn’t something to be embarrassed about. Over the years, mental illness and suicide have been taboo topics and it won’t change unless schools take a stance on suicide prevention.

Some schools have taken a stance, and the outcome is phenomenal. Yet, there are still schools that have yet to take action on the rising problem of suicide. As of Sept. 2017, there has been 425 teen suicides just in the last year alone according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

With this knowledge, schools should be putting up their stance on suicide awareness so we do not meet or pass the one-year record from last year at 638 suicide deaths.  Students dealing with suicidal thoughts are encouraged to talk to their counselors and their parents.

You are never alone; National Suicide Prevention Hotline Call 1-800-273-8255