Deer Creek Schools Reaching Out to Students with Suicide Prevention Program

By Adrianna Iwasinski, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The coordinator for Heartline's Suicide Prevention Program is encouraged when she sees schools doing something to reach out to students who may be considering suicide.

"The more awareness we can get out there, the better," said Amy Morgan with Heartline. "Most people feel hopeless and alone and don't know where to turn."

Morgan applauds what is happening in the Deer Creek School District. Recently, the district was awarded a $40,000 grant to be used for suicide prevention. Last week, teachers at both the middle and high schools wore T-shirts with the suicide hotline number on the back. Students also received a bracelet with the number and watched a video at lunch.

"It gives kids a resource that many may not have known about and creates a safe environment for them to talk about their feelings," said Morgan. "It also gives kids a tool if they have a friend who is considering suicide. Most kids will tell a friend about their feelings before they tell an adult."

Morgan said Heartline also provides a suicide prevention and awareness program, known as the HELP program, to Oklahoma City metro area schools free of charge.

One mom said she wishes that information had been around for her son two years ago. Monique Dodd's son is a junior at Deer Creek High School and has had not just one, but two of his high school friends commit suicide.

"One his freshman year and one last year so it's really important to us that he gets the support he needs besides what he gets from his family," said Dodd.

Morgan said cyberbullying has only compounded the problem with teen suicide, but Heartline has people who can help.

"I just want people to have hope...to know that somebody out there is on their side," Morgan said.

Heartline has been serving Oklahoma since 1971 and provides suicide prevention outreach programs, listening and crisis intervention services. Heartline call specialists are trained in crisis intervention and are available around the clock. You can call 211, the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK or find more information on Heartline's website.