Teens Plan Mental Health Event around Launch of New Suicide Prevention Hotline
Original Story By: Jessica Barreto, Action News Jax
The Partnership for Child Health, Lutheran Services of Florida and Voices Institute have partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida to host an event to let teens and parents know about the new 988 suicide prevention hotline launching July 17 and to encourage teens to “Kick Mental Health Stigma.”
“If you feel like you can’t talk to anyone. If you feel like you need someone. You don’t have to go through what you’re going through alone. We’re here”
The 988 Youth Wellness Event, a free mental health awareness and suicide prevention program, is being held July 15 for the more than 100 Boys & Girls Club members enrolled in summer programs at the Citi Teen Center in Springfield. Their parents and family members are also invited to attend a special session that highlights resources for them.
The day will be filled with activities for the teens including breakout sessions around coping strategies for mental health, spoken word, musical performances and first-hand testimonials. There will also be a kickball game coinciding with the theme of “kicking mental health stigma.”
The purpose of the event is to encourage young people and their parents to better understand mental health while breaking down the stigma that surrounds the issue.
The teens at the Club played an active role in the months of brainstorming and planning this event to inform and encourage their peers and their families.
“We could prevent so many deaths,” said 15-year-old Club member Ra'Naya B., who is helping her fellow teens assemble free grab bags with office supplies and other tools with the “988″ number stamped on them, which will serve as reminders that this hotline is available.
Ra'Naya wants to remind her fellow teens to call if they need someone to talk to.
“We listened to our young people about their wants and concerns. This event will take a holistic and youth-guided approach to overall mental well-being.”
“If you feel like you can’t talk to anyone. If you feel like you need someone. You don’t have to go through what you’re going through alone. We’re here,” Ra'Naya said.
The wellness event is named in part after the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 number will be available across the United States on July 16 with community resources and outreach available in Duval County in the near future. Trained counselors will listen and provide support to callers.
The event also coincides with National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The goal is to bring awareness to the unique struggles facing minority communities such as suicide, depression and anxiety.
“We listened to our young people about their wants and concerns,” said Dr. Vicki Waytowich, Executive Director of The Partnership for Child Health. “This event will take a holistic and youth-guided approach to overall mental well-being.”
“We want to let our teens know that national resources are available for those experiencing mental health issues or thinking about suicide. In addition, our community will soon have local expertise and resources available from the 988 number as it rolls out to the public nationwide,” Dr. Waytowich said.