‘He potentially saved his friend’s life’: Youth suicide prevention program gives local students the tools to intervene

Kirsten Fuchs believes “suicide” shouldn’t be a dirty word.

As the Youth Cannabis and Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program Coordinator for NorthEast Washington Education Service District 101, Fuchs oversees substance abuse and suicide prevention programs. She’s witnessed the youth mental health crisis firsthand.

“It sucks being a teen right now in 2026,” she said…

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