We joined with the students, staff and families in the Interboro School District the past few days in trying to answer a simple question: Why?
In the wake of the tragic suicide of two female students, we also now plan to give equal treatment to attempt to make sure this does not happen again.
There has been a lot of rumor, talk and just plain gossip that the deaths of Vanessa Dorwart and Gina Gentile were part of a suicide pact.
Officials fear other students also had pledged to take their lives.
The fear now is to be sure that does not happen. Suicide is not the answer.
It has been fairly accurately depicted as a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
The problem too often with young people is that they don’t look past the “now.” They don’t consider the effect of their actions down the line.
They don’t realize that things will get better, even if it takes weeks or months. All they feel is the hurt of now.
And it sometimes drives them to do rash things.
Yesterday we went to Interboro High School to monitor how things were going as students returned to school for the first time since the tragedy occurred.
Not all the students were happy to see us. And they were fairly vocal in letting us know exactly how they felt. That goes with the territory. We can take it. We’re not there to exploit them. We want to be part of the solution.
Likewise, Interboro School District is taking steps to make counselors available to any kids who feel the need to reach out for help.
We urge parents and their children not think they have to do this alone.
Reach out. Get help.
Don’t let this happen again.
In the wake of the tragic suicide of two female students, we also now plan to give equal treatment to attempt to make sure this does not happen again.
There has been a lot of rumor, talk and just plain gossip that the deaths of Vanessa Dorwart and Gina Gentile were part of a suicide pact.
Officials fear other students also had pledged to take their lives.
The fear now is to be sure that does not happen. Suicide is not the answer.
It has been fairly accurately depicted as a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
The problem too often with young people is that they don’t look past the “now.” They don’t consider the effect of their actions down the line.
They don’t realize that things will get better, even if it takes weeks or months. All they feel is the hurt of now.
And it sometimes drives them to do rash things.
Yesterday we went to Interboro High School to monitor how things were going as students returned to school for the first time since the tragedy occurred.
Not all the students were happy to see us. And they were fairly vocal in letting us know exactly how they felt. That goes with the territory. We can take it. We’re not there to exploit them. We want to be part of the solution.
Likewise, Interboro School District is taking steps to make counselors available to any kids who feel the need to reach out for help.
We urge parents and their children not think they have to do this alone.
Reach out. Get help.
Don’t let this happen again.
Comments
I have had some bad times in my life. Some really, really bad times. Bad times I was sure would never end. Bad times that suffocated me and extinguished all joy from my life. Times when I felt that there was no hope and that I could not go on, especially when I was younger.
I am in my fifties now. I have good days and bad days. And, if I were to do the math, I am sure that the bad days of my life would strongly outweigh the good. But, the thing is, there *are* good days. The bad days do not last forever. I would have missed so much if I had not hung around.
If I had not chosen to stick it out, I never would have met my beautiful, fantastic daughter, whom I treasure. I would have missed spying the first crocuses peeking out from a crusty snow bank this morning. I never would have known the cats who, over the years, have shared their lives with me, the ones who greeted me on my arrival home or fought over who would get to sleep closest to me, who sat in my lap and purred, all softness. I am in fairly good health and love to walk, reveling in nature and the changing seasons. And I am thankful for even the little things. Like a little purple crocus struggling up through decomposing leaves and sad sooty snow.
The point is, things really can and do get better. Most people who commit suicide don't want to die - they just want to stop hurting. If you are suffering and need help, just ask. Please ask. It’s okay to ask for help.
If you Google “suicide,” you will find innumerable resources for suicide hotlines, suicide awareness and suicide prevention.
And--if you think a friend or family member is considering suicide—speak up. You could save a life.