On September 10th, America recognized those affected by suicide by commemorating World Suicide Prevention Day. Mrs. Bauer, psychologist at Newsome High School, took it upon herself to dedicate time on campus toward this issue, while simultaneously spreading prevention information.

Throughout September, which is formally recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Bauer visited over 40 classrooms in a collaborative effort with Mrs. Brunning, the principal at Newsome High school.

Vital facts were shared with students across campus, as they soon realized the stronghold suicide has on their age group. “Suicide is the second leading cause of death in teenagers,” said Bauer during the presentation that she prepared for the classes she visited.

Bauer drew her motivation to act upon this issue from her own personal experience as a high school psychologist. “I do see a number of students that are at risk,” said Bauer as she recounts on her years of experience.

Moreover, with this experience Bauer possesses, comes the knowledge that most students experiencing these feelings do not know who to turn to. Bauer concluded from her presentations, that the majority of students at Newsome High School have either helped someone with suicidal thoughts, or have already felt them.

Friends and family become your biggest allies during hardship, according to Bauer, but it is still her personal mission to make Hotlines and other resources visual and readily available around campus, as well as, to remind students how important their lives truly are.