It was suggested I post this story. Thanks Chrissy!
First of all, I was able to recruit a friend to help me with my quest to incorporate mental health awareness into our school system AND the state, for that matter. My friend is fantastic! It's great to have someone else who is just as motivated to do something about this need.
She made some calls and encouraged me to do the same to get the word out about the ONE THING I'VE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OFF AT THE SCHOOL... I managed to get the principal to contact a speaker (it only took 6 mths for him to make a simple phone call) to address the students, and in the evening...the parents. The speaker will be coming to the school next week,and since the principal hasn't promoted this very well, my friend decided it would be a great idea to do some additional promoting. We called a few places and, hopefully, it will help to fill up the auditorium.
The speaker lost his teen son to suicide a few years back, and after "recovering" from the tragedy, he joined a mental health center and from there...focused on educating local high school students about this problem. Ironically, after all this time, I discovered he also was trying to get an education program introduced in his state a few years ago! Which is another thing I am trying to do! I don't know what came of his story, however. I do know that he is affiliated with another organization that operates solely on grant money, and part of that money is spent on educating the area high school students, which are free to the schools.
I know I have a battle on my hands because of the cooperation I've received so far. Perhaps the principal is in-between a rock and a hard place, which is why he isn't forthcoming. He may be in an awkward position for all I know. I will give him that much. He seems so sincere and so compassionate, so either it's a front, or his hands are really tied and he can't do anything about it. Whatever, that won't stop me. I just wish the reporter I wrote to writes a very good story and that it gets published soon. I know I must be patient.
I am waiting to hear her response to an article I read recently about a high school who lost several students in a very short period of time to suicide. It happened recently. Funding for a mental health program at the school dried up a few years before, so when this horrible thing happened, the school was scrambling for help. I understand this a dramatic story and it doesn't happen at schools on a regular basis, but it does happen. If we can prevent just one student from ending his or her life, to me...that is enough. Note: This tragic event happened in my state! All more the reason to continue with this issue. We need to be proactive.
Next I am going to have to write a few snail mail letters because I haven't heard back from all the state reps, including our governor. I e-mailed him 3 times over the last few months and haven't heard a word. Frustrating. I just want informaiton to see if anything is going to be done about educating our students and teachers!
Yes.....I am still on a roll......hoping to get somewhere with this.
Request: Look into your state, write letters, and find out if anything is "happening" about this issue in your schools.
If you've read this far, thanks.... I know this was a long one....
First of all, I was able to recruit a friend to help me with my quest to incorporate mental health awareness into our school system AND the state, for that matter. My friend is fantastic! It's great to have someone else who is just as motivated to do something about this need.
She made some calls and encouraged me to do the same to get the word out about the ONE THING I'VE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OFF AT THE SCHOOL... I managed to get the principal to contact a speaker (it only took 6 mths for him to make a simple phone call) to address the students, and in the evening...the parents. The speaker will be coming to the school next week,and since the principal hasn't promoted this very well, my friend decided it would be a great idea to do some additional promoting. We called a few places and, hopefully, it will help to fill up the auditorium.
The speaker lost his teen son to suicide a few years back, and after "recovering" from the tragedy, he joined a mental health center and from there...focused on educating local high school students about this problem. Ironically, after all this time, I discovered he also was trying to get an education program introduced in his state a few years ago! Which is another thing I am trying to do! I don't know what came of his story, however. I do know that he is affiliated with another organization that operates solely on grant money, and part of that money is spent on educating the area high school students, which are free to the schools.
I know I have a battle on my hands because of the cooperation I've received so far. Perhaps the principal is in-between a rock and a hard place, which is why he isn't forthcoming. He may be in an awkward position for all I know. I will give him that much. He seems so sincere and so compassionate, so either it's a front, or his hands are really tied and he can't do anything about it. Whatever, that won't stop me. I just wish the reporter I wrote to writes a very good story and that it gets published soon. I know I must be patient.
I am waiting to hear her response to an article I read recently about a high school who lost several students in a very short period of time to suicide. It happened recently. Funding for a mental health program at the school dried up a few years before, so when this horrible thing happened, the school was scrambling for help. I understand this a dramatic story and it doesn't happen at schools on a regular basis, but it does happen. If we can prevent just one student from ending his or her life, to me...that is enough. Note: This tragic event happened in my state! All more the reason to continue with this issue. We need to be proactive.
Next I am going to have to write a few snail mail letters because I haven't heard back from all the state reps, including our governor. I e-mailed him 3 times over the last few months and haven't heard a word. Frustrating. I just want informaiton to see if anything is going to be done about educating our students and teachers!
Yes.....I am still on a roll......hoping to get somewhere with this.
Request: Look into your state, write letters, and find out if anything is "happening" about this issue in your schools.
If you've read this far, thanks.... I know this was a long one....
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