Kallie Waller

Writer

September was first declared Suicide Prevention awareness month in the year 2008.

This month is used to recognize people who have been affected by suicide or people who are struggling with the thoughts of suicide.  

The Marlow High Student Council (StuCo) staff is supporting the students who are struggling by putting up positive signs around the school to encourage optimistic thinking in students and staff.

Along with putting up the posters, StuCo arranged for a guest speaker to come and talk to the students about mental wellness and strategies for taking care of their mental health. 

On thursday September 15th,  sophomore English teacher Ann Field invited a guest speaker, Hailey Mahaffey from the Safe Center, to lead the sophomore English classes in discussing mental wellness and healthy relationships.   

With Field being the StuCo advisor she discussed why her StuCo students have taken such an interest in promoting awareness across campus. 

 “I think mental unhealthiness is higher than ever before. The council has talked a lot about how concerned they are for their fellow students,” Field stated. 

Field also expressed a strong message for students struggling with thoughts of suicide.

“It may not feel like it right now, but your life has so much value and so much potential. There are brighter days ahead. Hang on and look around for help to pull you through.”

The president of StuCo Emma Sample also voiced her opinion on bringing awareness to suicide prevention. 

“People feel like they’re alone, and it’s more common than a lot of people think. People are in a dark place mentally and when you spread awareness about it, it really shows other students and other people that they’re not alone,” Samples expressed.

Samples also reiterated that she does not want students to hesitate in seeking help. 

“Not being so closed off about suicide prevention and being more open to talking about it would spread more awareness to the subject. There’s a lot of stigma around it, and it’s presented to be a bad thing.”

With the help of StuCo, MPS wants students to know that the door is always open to talk and receive a helping hand when needed.