The student run newspaper of Poolesville High School

Second annual health fair shines light on suicide epidemic

Student Anshul Chatterjee represents club Students Against Destructive Decisions at the health fair. Photo courtesy of Mr. Gysberts.
Booster Club and student volunteers cook up burgers and hot dogs for students at the fair. Photo courtesy of Mr. Gysberts.

PHS’s annual Suicide Awareness Health Fair was brought back this year in October. The PHS booster club teamed up with the boys basketball team during lunch to set up a tailgate at school. A crowd quickly formed as students lined up to get their food. The team handed out freshly cooked hamburgers and hot dogs, chips, apples, cookies, and drinks to raise awareness about the issue of teenage suicide in our community.
This annual event was started by PHS alumni Mackenzie Gross. As her 2017 Gold Award Project, Gross created her “Give Tomorrow a Chance” suicide prevention and awareness project. The project began last year with an ally pledge, a “yellow out” football game, and a spoken performance alongside the annual health fair.
“Thank you to Poolesville High School for bringing back my Suicide Awareness Health Fair to continue the fight against the epidemic,” Gross voiced on social media. “Thank you for recognizing the magnitude of this issue. Even though I have graduated, I am so proud Give Tomorrow a Chance has become an annual event.”
Suicide is an issue that no community is immune to. In fact, it is the second leading cause of death of 15-24 year olds, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Samantha Heller, a Global Ecology student in 9th grade, has dealt with some of these topics on a more personal level within her friends and family and provides input on how this has affected her everyday life.
“I have always been so much more cautious and definite about the last things I say in case they really are the last things I ever get to say to someone,” Heller claims. Through her experiences, Heller displays that this issue has become very evident in many people’s lives. Suicide has become a relatively silent epidemic.
In 2013, more than 41,000 Americans committed suicide. Each suicide intimately impacts an estimated six other people, according to the Megan Meier Foundation.
The goal of Gross’ project was to bring this issue to light. By putting forth organized events and speaking publicly about the issue of suicide, Gross effectively did her part to bring attention to the topic.
“I think it is important that we talk about it. We somehow need to reimagine society’s views and make it a more open topic,” expresses Heller. As someone who has dealt with the repercussions of these acts, Heller feels glad that “strong voices” are holding events like the Suicide Awareness Health Fair to bring awareness to topics that are less spoken about.
In the words of Gross, “Suicide is a worldwide epidemic, and by becoming aware we can become allies, and make a difference in the world.”
If you, a friend, or a family member is dealing with suicidal thoughts or depression, reach out to a trusted adult or call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

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