Students and staff at Park Middle School in Lincoln joined in the global observance of World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday with a interactive event led by the school’s Hope Squad.
The cafeteria was filled with messages of encouragement as students wrote notes on paper butterflies for a “hope tree” display, part of an effort to spread awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health.
“Suicide is declining, but it still remains the second leading cause of death for ages 10 to 24,” said Rochelle Dowding, the school’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) specialist and Hope Squad facilitator. “The more we talk about suicide prevention, the more it reduces stigma and helps students get the care they need sooner.”
Dowding, who has led the program at Park Middle for four years, said her personal connection to the issue motivated her involvement. “My father died by suicide when I was 12, and supporting this cause has always been really important to me,” she shared with reporters…