Dear LTHS Parents & Guardians,

As we welcomed students back into the building this year, we were reminded how important the sense of belonging is for our staff and students. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has identified September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to help promote awareness and recognition around the issues of suicide prevention and how to have appropriate and meaningful dialogue regarding the topic of mental health. 

This month, the LT community will raise awareness around suicide prevention through daily announcements, classroom lessons, and purple ribbons displayed throughout the school. We encourage staff and students to wear purple on Wednesday, September 9th. By normalizing these difficult conversations, students build the skills to recognize warning signs and speak up for themselves and others. We invite you to continue these conversations at home — a parent guide on youth suicide prevention is attached to support you.

The Counseling & Student Support Services Offices also want you to be aware of some important resources available to all families.

Community Mental Health Resource Guide - This resource is a compilation of community partners and service providers for a variety of needs for our students, families, and community members.  We welcome all members of our community to utilize this resource.  This resource can be accessed on multiple pages on our LTHS webpage.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - This crisis hotline became operational in July 2022.  9-8-8 was designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network.  The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.  The 988 number is also located on the back of all LTHS student IDs.  When our students call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network.

LTHS Speak-Up Line - Students are encouraged to R.O.A.R. (Reach Out and Report) concerns they have with bullying or other threats to school safety. Reports can be made in four ways:

1. Text:  (708) 588-7326
2. Phone call:  (708) 588-7326
3. Email: SPEAKUPLINE@lths.net

Students have the choice to report anonymously.  If the concern is an immediate threat, we encourage students to call 911.  

Signs of Suicide (S.O.S.) - Lyons Township High School will deliver a universal screener to the sophomore and senior classes for depression and suicide — sophomores in October and seniors in March. In partnership with Elyssa's Mission, all participating students will experience this evidence-based program that is delivered in over 300 schools across the state of Illinois. Additional information will be provided to parents and students prior to participating in the program later this month. 

The Be Smart Campaign was created to bring together all responsible adults to reduce suicides and the number of unintentional shootings that occur when children and youth get access to an unsecured firearm. In fact, 40 percent of child gun deaths are suicides- more than 600 child gun suicides each year. If interested, we encourage you to explore their website for blogs and videos to facilitate discussion with your family.  Prevention magazine published an article in September, 2022 that further highlights the connection between suicide prevention and firearms, you can access this article learn about preventative steps here.

The prevalence and acuity of mental health concerns for students and families is at an all-time high, and as a school community, rallying around this cause will impart the message to students that we are called to act when those around us need help. We appreciate your partnership in bringing these conversations into your home to normalize the conversation and destigmatize mental health. If you have concerns, we encourage you to seek support through someone in Student Services or to explore the Community Mental Health Resource Guide to familiarize yourself with appropriate services.

We are LT!

Drew Eder

Division of Counseling and Student Support Services