LITTLE CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Students in Little Chute gathered together on Friday to promote mental health wellness and suicide prevention.
The event featured 30 community organizations and a live band, but unbelievably this started as just a simple school project about mental wellness.
“We had to read a book and then make a presentation about a mental health wellness issue, my group chose suicide,” said sophomore Keaton Duffeck.
Things took off after a group, “Prevent Suicide Fox Cities,” gave an in-class presentation that inspired students to do more.
“It was impactful so we wanted to do something more for the school,” said Duffeck.
The students constructed a Wall of Wellness that honors individuals in their lives that provide sources of strength.
“We’re going to talk about sources of strength, we’re going to talk about who are the trusted adults in their world and so instead of them shouldering responsibility when they worry about a friend who’s in trouble, okay how do they pass that off to a responsible adult,” Kevin Pratt, the school counselor, explained to Fox 11 News.
Experts say suicide rates among youth is higher in the Fox Cities than the national rate.
“We’re seeing more students attempt suicide so, we really need to wrap our arms around the student and hear their voices,” said Cindy Reffke, Prevent Suicide Fox Cities chairwoman, to Fox 11 News.
Reffke said some signs of suicide include isolation and giving away prized possessions.
“There is hope, there is resiliency,” Reffke told Fox 11 News. “Obstacles happen in life, but we have adults that love them and care for them and want them to succeed.”
Duffeck added that it’s important for peers to look out for one another as well.
“Suicide is preventable and that’s the message we want to spread to everyone,” said Duffeck to Fox 11 News.
