Brandywine and Niles Community schools will partner to host a community forum to address teen suicide starting at 6 p.m. Jan. 30 in the Niles High School auditorium, 1441 Eagle St.
The goal will be to establish a plan where the community and the schools can join forces to stop
teen suicide.
To establish that plan, the schools hope to gather feedback from parents on what more the schools can do to take preventive measures, while providing insight into what resources are offered to those in need, said Niles District Superintendent Dan Applegate and Brandywine Schools Superintendent John Jarpe.
“Even if you do not have a teenager at home, I would encourage you to attend this forum,” Applegate said in an online invitation. “We are interested in hearing from a diverse audience across Niles and Brandywine communities.”
After talking with concerned parents, Applegate said that the Niles Community Schools approached those interested in tackling the problem, with the idea of hosting a community forum to share ideas.
According to the Center for Disease Control, suicide is the third-leading cause of death in 15 to 24-year-olds. The issue has touched the lives of many here in the Niles community.
In early November, Niles High School student Adam Stoops attempted to take his own life. Stoops passed away that month after being hospitalized.
Those close to Stoops expressed concern to Applegate that the issues that lead up to his death would be forgotten.
“We promised them that would not be the case and this is the first step toward keeping that promise,” Applegate said.
While feedback from the community will be pivotal, just establishing awareness of the issue will be a top priority. Part of that awareness will be sharing the signs of suicide and how those that recognize them in a student can help.
In an invitation to the community, Applegate said today’s teens often battle a lot of stress, from school work to fitting into the social scene. Today especially, these stress factors do not end with the bell, as teens may face peer pressure or cyber bullying through social media.
“With the advent of technology, social stress is no longer limited to backyards, playgrounds or schools,” Applegate said.
While some teens find ways to cope, others need more help, Applegate said.
By partnering with the Niles District, Jarpe said they can reach a bigger peer group.
“We are connected as a community,” Jarpe said. “Our kids interact with one another. They interact socially and over social media. [It is an] opportunity to help our kids.”
Jarpe discussed some of the helpful tools that Brandywine schools currently enact to help tackle topics like bullying and suicide.
Health classes start in middle school and go through the high school curriculum and seek to inform students about facing these issues. While state police also come to the school to talk with students about anti-bullying measures. Other outside resources such as the Berrien County Sheriff’s anonymous tipline, encourage students to speak out when they see something troubling.
Most importantly, Jarpe said he hopes students know how much teachers and staff care for them. When students have a problem, there are trusted adults they can talk, Jarpe said.
The schools hope to host future forums to continue addressing teen suicide as needed, but the issue is not one that can be tackled alone.
“Just one caring adult in a child’s life can have a profound impact,” Applegate said. “Think of what a community of adults can do.”