September is Suicide Prevention Month. And three local organizations have joined forces to educate our teen communities about the importance of mental health wellness.
Hope Means Nevada (HMN) is a community-based, nonprofit organization that aims to eliminate youth suicide in the state. Their mission includes empowering Nevada’s youth to live hopeful lives and helping them on their mental health journey to recovery. The organization does this in part by connecting Nevada youth with needed resources. And they strive to teach these young adults the importance of practicing mental wellness.
THE Cook Center for Human Connection (CCHC) is a nonprofit organization based in Utah. They strive to bring together the best organizations, programs and products to help them in their mission. It’s about preventing suicide, providing mental health support and strengthening the human connections that are essential for people to thrive. The CCHC also welcomes ParentGuidance.org. Which provides free mental health counseling to parents and guardians in the Clark County School District.
ParentGuidance.org offers video lessons covering difficult parenting topics. As well as one-on-one coaching and weekly interactive webinars. The videos cover a wide range of topics. Including how to manage a child’s anxiety and how to help them regulate their emotions. The video also addresses bullying and social media safety. Plus what parents and guardians need to know about suicide prevention.
In partnership with the Clark County School District, HMN and CCHC are hosting a virtual suicide prevention series.
Titled “My life is worth living”, the series includes short films and discussions that provide training to community participants. Interns include the HMN Teen Committee. Which Southern Nevada high school students are determined to spread the message to their peers about the importance of mental wellness.
The public is also invited to attend the series, as suicide is a universal subject. THE Cook Center for Human Connection reports that in the United States, someone commits suicide every 40 seconds. And this suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 34.
Each of the four videos features an animated storyline showing a character grappling with common challenges facing today’s teens. Including trauma, depression, identity, cyberbullying, social rejection, sexual abuse and substance abuse. CCHC created the series in partnership with a scientist specializing in suicidal behavior. The goal of these videos is to show what might cause someone to consider suicide, as well as what might prevent it. Each screening is followed by discussions and group activities for students in grades 6-12.
Here is the schedule for the rest of the series. Payments take place at 6 p.m.
Thursday September 21: Parent/child evening – “My Life Is Worth Living” Series Recap. HMN encourages community partners to join a discussion about adolescent mental health resources.
Thursday September 21: Parents/Teenagers – “Providing Hope” – What Parents Need to Know About Suicide Prevention.
Tuesday September 26: Dante’s story – A high school sports star decides to face the disappointment of an overbearing father in order to be honest with himself.
Interested people can register for the webinar at https://linktr.ee/hopemeansnevada.
–Wendy Rush96.3 KKLZ