Elyssa's Mission

One of the most devastating experiences a parent can encounter is losing their child by suicide. While the topic is uncomfortable and often the last thing a parent could fathom their child being capable of, the conversation is imperative because some of our children are thinking of hurting themselves.

In the first week of November, Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 is slated to roll out a training program – called Elyssa’s Mission - to educate their middle school students about risk factors and warning signs of individuals who may be contemplating harming themselves. Students will use ‘Signs of Suicide’ (SOS), which is a national program written by Screening for Mental Health, as the main resource for the program.

ABC-7’s Windy City Live television program hosted Elyssa’s Mission Founder, Joanne Meyers, (Elyssa’s mother) on their show February 11, 2014. During that segment, Meyers said she has educated thousands of middle school and high school students since Elyssa’s death. “She suffered from post-traumatic stress following an event that happened to her. She just wasn’t able to cope and took her own life at the age of sixteen,” said Meyers.

The taping of that show took place one day before the 10th anniversary of Elyssa’s death, whom today would’ve been twenty-seven.

“Elyssa’s Mission funds this program in its entirety,” said Meyers. “We know we’re saving lives, we’re very proud of our work.”

“Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 10-24 year olds,” said Elyssa’s Mission Program Director, Katie Baker.

The Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum currently being used in D124 includes intervention and prevention programs as well as an array of clubs and activities students participate in, including but not limited to, Positive Behavior and Intervention Systems (PBIS), which Director of Special Services, Veda Newman, says has been successful. However, she said she feels Elyssa’s Mission is more preemptive.

“Last year, our district conducted an internal review of the SEL programs in each school and recognized the need for additional proactive measures to identify students who may be grappling with depression and/or suicide ideations.” Newman said, “The district selected Elyssa’s Mission because it utilizes a research-based intervention program targeted to teach students how to recognize signs of depression in themselves and others and encourages youth to seek assistance from a trusted adult.”

Central Middle School Principal, Rita Sparks weighed in, “I feel it’s important to educate students, staff and parents how to recognize and assist teens who may be at risk.”

The Illinois legislature shares these sentiments. Effective August 21, 2015 Ann Marie’s Law was enacted, requiring the State Board of Education to implement youth suicide awareness and prevention training in an age appropriate manner for grades 6 through 12. This suicide awareness policy was precipitated by Ann Marie, an 11 year old girl from Orland Park, who tragically took her life just two years ago.

The faculty at CMS received training through Elyssa’s Mission October 14th; Baker was the facilitator. “We’ve been working to educate students about suicide prevention for many years. Today, we’re in 85 schools in the Chicagoland area.”

D124 will begin implementing their program as early as November 3rd. “We’re starting with our 8th grade class,” said Sparks. “7th grade will follow November 5th and 6th grade, February of 2016.”

If you or a person you know needs to speak with someone about depression, anxiety or thoughts of suicide, please contact the suicide prevention hotline at (800) 273-TALK or log on to www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org