2/6/18
Dear Representative Carol Spackman Moss: Utah is currently experiencing a trend leaning towards an increasing amount of teen suicides in Utah over the past couple of years. A recent report (McCombs, 2017) has drawn in widespread attention to this issue through acknowledging a horrifying increase in teen suicide rates by a staggering 141%. Researchers (Ramseth, 2017) have found that, “The state’s suicide rate among young adults ages 10 to 17 had more than doubled from 2011 to 2015. It had grown at an annual clip nearly four times faster than the national average. In all, 150 youths died by suicide over the five-year period.” The heart-rending numbers have been growing out of control and are leading the future of our youth onto a devastating road of despair and grief. This past year our High School lost a precious spirit to the result that an abundance of hopelessness and grief can have. We might not recognize that behind all the statistics, graphs and numbers there are grief-ridden souls who could have continued their great march on this Earth if they had been able to see their immeasurable amount of worth, light, and purpose. As Utahns, we stand together to brighten the hope for the future and we must hold on to, strengthen, and carry our friends, family, and neighbors. The only way that we can reach out a hand and lift up those crying for help is by bringing into our school systems programs that offer support, love, and a place of belonging for our students. The Hope Squad program has been an incredible source of support for students in districts that have incorporated them. The Provo City School District had around 1-2 suicides each year from 1999-2004, but in 2005 when the Hope Squad was incorporated into the school district, Provo has seen a significant drop in suicide attempts and threats and have had no completions ever since the program was introduced. The Hope Squad also trains students how to look for signs and act appropriately in situations where a friend or peer may be having suicidal thoughts. The students in the Murray City School District would be changed for the better and would have an opportunity to brighten their future, strengthen their lives and to live up to their capability of impacting society through the hope that comes from this program. Sincerely, Brooke Christenson McCombs, B. (2017, November 30). Report: Utah youth suicides jump 141 percent. Retrieved from KSL.com: https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46208204&title=report-utah-youth-suicides-jump-141-percent Ramseth, L. (2017, November 30). As Utah’s youth suicide rates grows at an alarming pace, state could be doing more to combat the trend, new federal report says. Retrieved from The Salt Lake Tribune: https://www.sltrib.com/news/health/2017/11/30/utahs-youth-suicide-rates-growing-at-alarming-pace-new-federal-report-says/
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AuthorHi! My name is Brooke Christenson. I love to spend time outdoors with my family and be involved in nature. Archives
April 2018
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