With September now passed, there is one thing that many people don’t know about this month. September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. This topic doesn’t get talked about much at Buffalo High School, yet many students have been exposed to suicide and suicide attempts.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 10% of youth in grades 9-12 reported that they had made at least one suicide attempt in the past year, not including the many more who struggle with suicidal ideation. With this in mind, it’s clear to see how prevalent the effects of suicide could be for BHS students. Not to mention, those living in Minnesota often are higher at risk for depression due to the long winter months.
Many students may not know that the people around them are suicidal because they might be scared to speak up. A large stigma around suicide is that it’s selfish and disrespectful to others, which only keeps those struggling from getting the help they need. One might be suicidal because of many reasons which may include: depression, difficult households, stress, or (cyber)bullying.
“I have a couple of friends who have attempted suicide,” Maddison Tabbout ‘25 disclosed, “I was sad about it for a long time, but after taking some time for myself and urging myself to keep going, I managed to get through it. I’m still very sad about it, but I’m still able to cope through it today.”
Students are suffering the effects of poor mental health around family and friends, and even themselves. If you know someone struggling ask questions to understand, show that you’re listening, watch for nonverbal cues, and express your concerns to them or a trusted adult.
If you are struggling with suicidal ideation or poor mental health here are some resources you can reach out to:
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The Trevor Project
