Oct. 5, 2018 -- Students in the Heights High SADD club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, hosted a week of suicide prevention activities September 24-28 to promote a healthy, positive school climate and remind students and staff that YOU MATTER.
The activities included: positive message poster making during lunch periods - students then lined the main hallway with the posters, guest speaker LaToyia Jones, founder of Alive on Purpose and Heights alum spoke to students, each day featured a theme - Wednesday was Wear White Day to bring light to the issue, students watch the three minute video
The Empty Seat and on Friday, SADD members, Exercise Science and Clinical Health Care students greeted their peers at the main door with upbeat music and a You Matter sticker.
The poster messages encouraged students and staff to tell others how much they care about them and/or to apologize for less than kind behavior in the past.
“The numbers of teens committing suicide in Cuyahoga County has increased drastically in the past decade,” said School Social Worker and SADD advisor Caryl Yoo.
Jalon Blue is a member of the SADD group and holds a 'You Matter' button distributed by the group on September 28.
“The posters are a reminder that students are not alone and others care about their wellbeing and happiness. It is important that students to know how to help one another and how to get help from a trusted adult. Sometimes just a hug and positive words can make all the difference.”
