SLHS Mental and Social Health students create yellow ribbons for Suicide Prevention Month
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - In a press release, the San Luis High School (SLHS) Mental and Social Health students created 300 yellow ribbons.
Significantly, the ribbons are for students and staff to wear during the month of September.
Equally important, September is Suicide Prevention Month.
Spreading awareness
As part of a class assignment, Alejandro Navarro, a senior at SLHS, came up with the idea.
For further context, Navarro's idea was to have students of the Social and Mental Health class make and wear yellow ribbons.
However, the idea expanded outside the classroom.
“It made me feel proud and amazed to pass by their classrooms and see them wearing the ribbon,” Navarro said.
“Friends, workers, teachers, and members of our school asked me very often, what was the meaning of the yellow ribbon. This project made me realize that together we can spread awareness and when coming together as a community in our school we can create so many amazing things.”
Yellow ribbons
For even further context, yellow ribbons are an emblem for suicide prevention awareness, particularly for young people.
Several countries use these ribbons: the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
“I see it as a great importance to educate my students about suicide, unfortunately suicide is considered a major public concern,” SLHS Mental and Social Health Teacher Yadery Ramirez said.
“Based on recent mortality data, suicide in some populations is on the rise, therefore I do not think talking about suicide should be considered a taboo when individuals, including children and adolescents, are considering ending their life by suicide.”
Mental and Social Health
Altogether, Mental and Social Health is part of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in YUHSD.
Currently, YUHSD offers at SLHS and Vista High School.
Equally important, the program prepares students for entry-level employment, further training, and/or post-secondary occupations.
These occupations include Behavioral Health Aide, Mental Health Aide, Behavioral Health Technician, and Mental Health Assistant.
