(no subject)
Dear Spokane School Board,
I can udnerstand not wanting to breach this topic. I can understand fearing it; death is frightening. Knowing that someone so young would end their own life is a hard thing to deal with.
But you know what? As hard as it is for you, it's harder for the students.
Do any of you remember your teenage years? Most people agree that it is the hardest times in their lives. The physical changes, the psychological changes, the doubt, the uncertainty, the mood swings... it's not a pleasant time. It's ever harder if you have to deal with a very real problem of Major Depression.
By pretending this is not happening, and by brushing it off, you are making it worse. You are showing the kids who still need help that their feelings don't matter. You are proving their fear that if they died, no one would care.
Suicide NEVER happens without a reason. People do not just suddenly decide to end their lives. And as the officials in this school district, it is your job to keep these kids safe, even if that means protecting them from themselves. You need to look around them and see why they are dying. What would push them to the breaking point?
You cannot continue to sweep this under the rug. Something must be done. Now.
Don't let anyone else die.
Sincerely, Kaille *******, 11th grader.
I can udnerstand not wanting to breach this topic. I can understand fearing it; death is frightening. Knowing that someone so young would end their own life is a hard thing to deal with.
But you know what? As hard as it is for you, it's harder for the students.
Do any of you remember your teenage years? Most people agree that it is the hardest times in their lives. The physical changes, the psychological changes, the doubt, the uncertainty, the mood swings... it's not a pleasant time. It's ever harder if you have to deal with a very real problem of Major Depression.
By pretending this is not happening, and by brushing it off, you are making it worse. You are showing the kids who still need help that their feelings don't matter. You are proving their fear that if they died, no one would care.
Suicide NEVER happens without a reason. People do not just suddenly decide to end their lives. And as the officials in this school district, it is your job to keep these kids safe, even if that means protecting them from themselves. You need to look around them and see why they are dying. What would push them to the breaking point?
You cannot continue to sweep this under the rug. Something must be done. Now.
Don't let anyone else die.
Sincerely, Kaille *******, 11th grader.