TeSSA Suicide Prevention

The Train Station Suicidal Awareness (TeSSA) Project

The IB curriculum creates opportunity for students to involve themselves in their local community through the Creativity, Activity, Service & Service Learning (CAS & SL) programmes Over the years, we have continued to develop students’ interest in global issues and their desire to be agents of change in our local community.

Prevent, protect and help those around you. Everybody matters.

- The TeSSA project team

Students have identified ‘Health and Wellbeing’ as a priority. Their current project began as a discussion during a Psychology lesson about the increase in suicide attempts at the Voorschoten train station. Students used their CAS skills and knowledge to develop the Train Station Suicidal Awareness (TeSSA) project and act in the community to prevent these situations and better support the individuals affected.

Our main motivator for pursuing this project was the safety and wellbeing of both students from the BSN, and the surrounding community.”

- TeSSA team members

TeSSA consists of posters and an online portal containing both local and national support information in Dutch and English. The posters, which will be placed at the train station, include a QR code that links to the portal. The links to local initiatives and support programmes make the TeSSA project unique. The Voorschoten municipality has been meeting with students frequently, connecting them with ProRail, and 113 (Dutch National Suicide Prevention Hotline). Next September, the municipality will launch the 113 campaign and our students will have the opportunity to launch their project in the community. ■

When at least one life is saved, the TeSSA project will be a success.

- Jolundi Wilson, CAS Coordinator