Throughout September, Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) high schools recognized Suicide Prevention Month with events led by “Hope Squads” and counseling departments.
At Portola High School, students visited the counseling office for mental health resources, grounding and coping tools, and opportunities to write encouraging messages for their peers.
University High School’s newly relaunched Hope Squad presented lessons on recognizing warning signs, supporting someone who may be struggling, and reducing the stigma around conversations about suicide. Students also created fidgets as a stress-relief activity…