At the September 9 School Board Committee of the Whole meeting, we recognized September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is a moment to pause and reflect on an issue that touches countless lives across the country. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among both youth and adults. Yet it is also preventable.
One of the most meaningful steps we can take is to open the door for honest conversations. When students, families, and staff know they can speak about their struggles without fear of judgment, they are less likely to carry those burdens alone. When schools create space for kindness and connection, the stigma surrounding mental health begins to weaken, and hope becomes possible.
Immediate help is also always available. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, call or text 988 to connect directly with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Support is only one call or message away.
At Wheatland Middle School, social worker Cary Burgos and school counselors Dave Hinnenkamp and Emily Wingenroth organized a week of activities during lunch that invited students to take small but powerful steps toward caring for themselves and each other.
Cary explained that the idea grew out of Wheatland’s first Mental Health Fair held last May. “It was a strong start,” she reflected, “but I realized there was a gap, something more needed to be done earlier in the year to encourage students to seek support and remind them they are not alone.” The activities were designed with new students in mind, especially sixth graders adjusting to middle school, so they could meet the student services team early on and feel connected.
The week unfolded with a mix of creativity and heart:
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On Monday, students added notes of encouragement to a growing Wall of Hope, filling the space with positive messages for their peers.
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On Tuesday, the Duck Hunt Challenge had students searching the school for “Support Ducks,” a playful reminder that support can be found in unexpected places.
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On Wednesday, the Kindness Photo Booth gave students the chance to write shout-outs to people who brighten their days and capture photos to celebrate them.
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On Thursday, Compliment Cards invited students to put kindness into words, offering encouragement to classmates and staff.
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On Friday, students decorated links for a “We’re in This Together” paper chain, each one representing a mental health support or strategy. The chain grew steadily, symbolizing how everyone is connected in the work of supporting one another.
The response from students was immediate. Cary noted that many asked when the activities would return, a clear indication of how much the opportunity to connect and share kindness meant to them. For some, it was the first time they had introduced themselves to the student services team. For others, it was a reminder that even in difficult times, there are safe people and spaces at school.
As a district, we are encouraged by the creativity and care our student services staff bring into their schools. Their work shows that prevention is not only about responding in moments of crisis, it is also about building connections long before those moments arrive.
Together we can continue to nurture a community where every individual feels seen, supported, and valued. Even one life lost is one too many.
