Pilot project launched to raise awareness of teen suicide
A pilot project is being launched this week to raise student awareness of the warning signs of teen suicide using a live, interactive play presented to almost 1,000 high school students from across the Thames Valley District School Board.
“Suicide has touched the lives of many, many people,” said psychologist Dr. Darlene Elliott-Faust, chair of the TVDSB’s Suicide Awareness Committee. “Typically, but not always, there are warning signs and our goal is to raise awareness of those warning signs for teen suicide.”
The play’s characters are portrayed by student and teacher actors and examines the life of a high school student affected by the simultaneous pressures of a new relationship and dealing with an earlier break up, parental expectations, failure to gain entry into the university of choice, and bullying by members of his sports team.
After students view the play, written by TVDSB Learning Coordinator Toni Wilson, it is performed again and can be stopped at any time. Audience members can then stand in for actors and suggest alternate actions and solutions. Following the play, the students meet in small groups with staff from psychological and social work services to debrief and discuss the experience.
About 30 students from each of the Board’s 30 high schools will take part in the project starting March 4 at Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in the first of four performances. Future performances will take place March 5 at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, March 25 at Arthur Voaden Secondary School, and March 26 at Woodstock Collegiate Institute.
