Everyone knows someone who has been touched by suicide in one way or another. September is the month where people can come together and help make others aware that help is always available, things will always get better and there is no shame in asking for assistance. September is Suicide Prevention Month.
NDB offers a lot of activities, events and other opportunities to positively support its students’ mental health. There are supportive counselors who are always on campus and eager to offer their help. They keep a watchful eye and a pulse on students to ensure girls are doing okay.
“We do individual check-ins with all of our students, starting with the freshmen and transfer students at the start of the school year,” said NDB counselor Esperanza Flores. “We also are in the middle of doing suicide awareness for our ninth graders, hoping to take that presentation to our sophomores as well, and then the juniors and seniors, if possible.”
Unfortunately, there is a general stigma around mental health. It is important for staffulty and students to try to create a safe environment for each other and encourage everybody to ask for help when they need it.
“… It’s a sensitive topic, and the more we talk about it, the more we make it a common thing. I think that’s how it becomes
de-stigmatized: By talking it out and encouraging others to talk about it, so it becomes a practice,” said
Flores.
There are lots of things that staffulty and students can do to support each other, especially for someone going through a hard time.
“I think, just always being inclusive, having the space where people feel they can be authentic and genuine, where they feel safe enough to share about that. Just keeping an open mind with others,” shared Flores. “As a counselor, I do feel like there are a lot of students here who are on their current journey, and we don’t know what they’re going through or how they’re managing classes, sports, friendships. So, I think giving everyone grace – as we say here at Notre Dame – is super-important. Just continuing the community that Notre Dame has, and really welcoming everyone because I think we’re all going through a struggle that no one knows about,” added Flores.
She gave advice to students who feel like they are struggling.
“You’re not alone. Remember there are more people that care about you than you think, and just find that trusted adult. Sometimes, it helps to talk about it. Sometimes, it helps just to have someone sit with you. Whatever it is – and at that moment you might not know, but if you do let someone know you’re not okay – it helps being not okay. Be not okay, which is a hard thing to sit with, but we’re here to sit with you,” said Flores.
Suicide Prevention Month is another reminder that one never knows what someone is going through. So, be kind, whether it is just holding the door open or smiling in the hallway. Give tiny signs to people that they are loved and wanted.
This month needs to be more than just the title. It needs to be a wake up call to the staggering numbers of suicide. It needs to be a reminder to everyone that we need to do a better job of getting people the help they need. If people keep talking about it and normalizing the need to ask for help, society can keep working toward bringing these numbers down, so nobody is ever left wishing they could have done more.
It is time to end the tragedy of suicide. Everyone should get the privilege of living a full life.
