Finding healing: Raising awareness for those who lose hope
The statistics are staggering: suicide is the second leading cause of death for students. There has been a 63-percent increase in deaths by suicide for girls since 1994, and a 40-percent increase for males.
Girls ages 10-14 had a triple increase in deaths by suicide since 1999.
“We’re only six weeks in,” said Anderson County High School’s Kim Guinn, “and there have already been six confirmed deaths {by suicide} of kids in school in Tennessee.”
In 2015, Guinn was brought on board to ACHS to head up their Advancing Wellness and Resilience Education program. The program is grant-funded, and only three schools in the state received the grant. The goal of the program is to bring mental health services to students, which includes education on suicide prevention, according to Guinn.
With September being Suicide Prevention Month, Guinn, who is also a registered nurse, hopes to spread the word about how to watch for warning signs and what to do if someone struggles with suicidal thoughts.
“We try to reduce the stigma associated with all mental illnesses,” Guinn said, “but particularly those with suicidal thoughts.”
One initiative that AWARE is promoting this month is “Speak up, save lives.” It’s a social media campaign that encourages students to wear gray, purple or teal, share their pictures and raise awareness among their friends.
Second Baptist Church in Clinton will host a movie night featuring San Francisco-native Kevin Hines, a man that attempted to take his life by jumping off the Golden Gate bridge. The event, scheduled for Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m., is in partnership with Anderson County Schools, and aims to provide guidance to those struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, according to Guinn.
“[The movie] the Ripple Effect is really about giving folks hope and healing from suicide,” Guinn noted. “Last year, I heard about suicides that were happening with school-age children. What struck me was that there were two 10-year-olds that had taken their lives through suicide. We have fourth-graders that take their lives. We’re losing a lot.”
It doesn’t just happen in California, Guinn emphasized.
Clinton High School teacher Alicia Philips is scheduled to speak after the movie. Philips attended Clinton High, as did her brother, Anthony Brown.
“Alicia witnessed her brother’s death,” Guinn said. “It was very traumatic for all families. He was a high school football player at Clinton High around 17 years ago.”
Coming back to teach at Clinton High was difficult for Philips, according to Guinn, but she is now passionate about sharing her story in hopes of preventing others from choosing to end their lives through suicide.
“This can happen to really good families,” Guinn said. “We have to talk about coping methods and educate families and students on the warning signs. We need to realize that depression and other forms of mental illness are medical conditions and not character flaws. These suicides and conditions are really treatable and preventable.”
For many people who contemplate suicide, it’s about a loss of hope, according to Guinn.
“They think the consequence is the end all,” she said, “that whatever they’re facing, there’s no recovery from it. But we want everyone to get the message that no matter what you did, or what happened, there’s hope and healing.”
An anonymous text line is available for people dealing with suicidal thoughts. Simply text TN to 741741.
“Be ready, because they’ll get with you quickly,” she said.
Kids text more than they want to have a conversation with somebody, according to Guinn, so texting is a way of life to them.
“Kids are lacking the social skills to talk through their emotions,” she said, noting that as a possible cause in the increase in deaths.
A phone number is also available at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
“We need a community-driven effort for suicide awareness and prevention,” Guinn said.
