September is National Suicide Prevention Month 

In Nebraska, suicide is the leading cause of death for children ages 10-14 and the second leading cause of death for ages 15-24. While these stats are troubling, research shows that talking about suicide helps prevent it. As Brownell Talbot hopes to foster a compassionate community of learners, it is our aim to educate and empower our students to check in with themselves and reach out to others in times of need.  

Throughout the month of September, BT will host several suicide awareness and prevention educational opportunities:

• During the weeks of September 14 and September 21, school counselors Mrs. Brianna Vander Vorst, Mrs. Katie Brubaker and Mrs. Lisa Craig  will be going into the classrooms and presenting information about mental health and suicide awareness and prevention to students in grades 5-12. 
• In alignment with best practices from Omaha area school districts, the students in grades 5-12 will complete a screener after the presentation. The counseling team will follow up with students and parents if students indicate on the screener that they are in need of support. 
• During the week of September 14, students will be invited to participate in the Kim Foundation’s Chalk It Up For Bright Tomorrows city-wide event by creating messages of hope and encouragement around BT’s campus. 

Please contact counselors Brianna Vander Vorst (Upper School), Katie Brubaker (Middle School), and Lisa Craig (Lower School) with any questions regarding National Suicide Prevention month activities.