A lot of people struggle with suicidal thoughts. It’s something many adults deal with, but it’s especially common among teens. According to the CDC, as of 2021, there were 1,952 suicide deaths among high school students ages 14–18 in the U.S, Which is about 9.0 out of every 100,000 young people. It is important for young people to get help before it’s too late. When someone is struggling with mental health issues or thoughts of suicide, help is just three digits away. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline connects people to trained counselors 24/7, offering support through a simple call or text. Unlike 911, which sends help for emergencies, 988 is all about emotional support. It’s anonymous, always open, and gives someone to talk to no matter what they’re going through.
“One of the best things about 988 is that it’s always available,” THS social-emotional counselor Katie said. “You could be up at three in the morning and not want to wake anyone, but 988 is there. It’s a safe, anonymous way to reach out and get help when you need it.”
THS social emotional counselor Shaefer explained that in today’s fast-paced, digital world, it’s easy for people to feel disconnected — which is why having a simple number like 988 matters. “
“ We live in a society where everybody is constantly on the go, and they’re moving, and we also live in a digital age where sometimes human connection is few and far between… So by switching [the call line] to 988, that is such an easy number to call or to text to get emotional support that you might need,” Schaffer said.
Teachers and staff at THS are trained each year to recognize signs of emotional distress “All of the teachers and staff at Tupelo High School and all public schools throughout the state go through a suicide prevention training every single year. Our staff is very knowledgeable on the signs to look out for. We want to be able to let students know that they’re not alone and that there are resources out there,” Schaffer said.
Even with resources like 988 available, many people still struggle to reach out for help sometimes because they’re scared, embarrassed, or don’t know what to say. However Schaffer has some words for people who are scared, nervous, or just don’t know what to say.
“So one thing about 988 is that it is anonymous. That takes the pressure off someone who is reluctant to reach out for help. So it’s very non-threatening. And I would absolutely encourage anyone to reach out to at least that number and get some help that you need. Eventually, I would love for that to evolve into you having the courage to go talk to a trusted adult or a counselor or a therapist in person. But this is such a great way to start because it is anonymous,’’ Schaeffer said.
