If you have ever attended a Shine event, you know we don’t shy away from difficult topics. Before we get started, take a couple deep breaths and try to lower your blood pressure as much as possible. We will be talking about a topic that is a parent’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, it is too often a parent’s reality. Childrenshospital.org reports that “according to 2019 statistics from the CDC, 8.9 % of high school students surveyed attempted suicide and 18.8 % of high school students ‘seriously considered’ attempting suicide.” Suicide and self-harm are more than just a topic for a popular Netflix show. Sarah Sargent did a Q & A with a suicide attempt survivor. If statistics are right, your child or at least one of their closest five friends has self-harmed in the last twelve months. Ashley is in her mid 20’s and just recently graduated with her degree in childhood education. When she was in high school, she attempted to take her life. God intervened and miraculously changed her. Now she is an advocate for mental health issues and a warrior for Jesus Christ. Continued on page 33 14 treasure
OCT-DEC 2021
