Recent Deaths Emphasize Need For Education and Access to Suicide Prevention Services

Woonsocket High School students have been shaken over the past two weeks with news of tragedies that are difficult to process and understand at any age, but there are resources available for those that need help in moving past this difficult time.

A 17-year-old student suffered death by suicide last Monday. Private services were held over the weekend for friends and family members who wished to remember the young man, an avid breakdancer and skateboarded from a Laotian Cambodian family in the city.

Just a day later, a 25-year-old female, that served as a program coordinator at last year, also died by suicide.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people (ages 15 to 24) nationally, a sad statistic which, according to Leigh A. Reposa of the Rhode Island Youth Suicide Prevention Project (RIYSPP,) holds true for the state and has been trending upward. Through a partnership between the Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Student Assistant Services (RISAS,) Reposa's group aims to lower the statistic by providing education and support.

"It's really about being able to provide families with resources that they're comfortable using," said Resposa.

Woonsocket has been identified as one of six cities in the state to receive gatekeeper training for all adults working with at risk youth. The program began in 2009 and received an in grant funding this year from RISAS.

Although most of the adults in Woonsocket Schools have yet to receive the training, workers at community-based organizations, including , , and the have had contact with RIYSPP and have been educated about the warning signs and how best to respond. 

There is currently one individual trained at Woonsocket High School; Student Asssistant Counselor Ancha Santana. Resposa is currently working with Director of Instruction and Administration Mark Garceau to increase that number.

A challenge Resposa has found in addressing the recent loss of a high school student is that the young man comes from a quiet, close-knit Buddhist family that has not been very open to talks.

"They've been very private about the event, which remains challenging from a prevention standpoint," she said. 

More information can be found on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. If you or someone you know is at risk, contact their toll free number at 1-800-273-TALK, which is available 24/7, to be connected with a local certified crisis center.