The message was awareness — teaching teens how to “be a link” and save a life. Teen Help Cards, with a laundry list of resources, were distributed.
“Our goal is for every student to have one in their wallet and use it or help a friend with it,” said Melissa Smith, Hemet High teacher and AVID coordinator.
The AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, senior program teaches college readiness with a large component of community service.
“The students wanted to concentrate on Hemet High School’s mental health,” said Smith, who has been the AVID coordinator for six years. “We did a schoolwide survey and compiled a pledge that represented everyone’s best wishes.”
Posted on a plaque in the middle of the school and on signs around the track, it states, in part, that “no Bulldog will be left to face his/her challenges alone.” It is meant to foster understanding and support among students, staff and administration.
The awareness walk was the culmination of about 10 days of mental health activities that promoted friendship and wellness, such as addressing friendship-grams to other students, creating buttons with positive messages and attending a schoolwide assembly about making positive choices.
Carlos Carrio, of the Cal State San Bernardino Office of Wellness, was the presenter.
At the prevention walk, participants were encouraged to write a positive message on a flag that was then strung across the track.
“All the kids are moving in the same direction (around the track) — it’s symbolic of them moving forward,” Smith said. “As they pass under the flags of good will, we hope the messages will pass off on them.”
Victoria Lopez, health services assistant from the Riverside County Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Services, is working closely with the AVID seniors to attain the goal of a strong support system on campus to address issues.
Improving awareness among staff has been helpful, Smith said.
“If kids are hurting, they are not learning,” she said. “They have to know they are cared for and that we are their allies. We can’t say we ever reached a goal. It has to be consistently reinforced.”
In the past year and a half, two students at the high school committed suicide. Kevy Ubben died in March 2012 and Kristen Calderon died in November 2012.
“There are a lot of different kids here today — some were friends with Kevy and Kristen — but there are those who didn’t know them but are good-hearted and want to help,” Smith said on Saturday.
Audrey Wayment, 16, who knew Kevy, said there were no programs in place at the school a year ago.
“That’s why we got involved. This is a program that can help other people now,” she said. “Things build up inside but now there is somewhere they can go to express themselves.”
Brenna Foutz was close friends with both girls and said she now feels empowered to help others.
“It feels awesome to know you might be helping someone and preventing heartache for them and their families,” said Brenna, 16. “Everybody needs to know there is always another option. Everybody’s life is important.”
About 180 Dartmouth Middle School students attended the event and offered activities that combined togetherness and fun.
“Over the last couple of years, the area has been hit hard by suicides,” said Tim Gillis, Dartmouth math teacher and peer mediation program adviser. “Today is a way to get people together to celebrate life.”
For more information, call 800-273-Talk or 951-686-HELP.
