Suicide Prevention

THE SAAS MISSION IN ACTION

Zach Cohen ’20

My name is Zach Cohen, and I am a Senior here at Seattle Academy. SAAS is a dynamic community, and students have always questioned, imagined, and created. Over my seven years here, I have been an active participant in the school’s Mission—to question a nd create—and I have observed many of my peers doing the same.

I first began to actively question during my sophomore year when we had periodic Health Days. At that time, we would obtain our health credit during full days devoted to classes on physical and mental health. One of those classes was about suicide prevention, a health topic most of my friends and I had never been taught before. During the class, my friends and I had many questions that weren’t able to be answered, because there was not enough time in the session for extensive questions. We also realized that many students in the class were hesitant to ask questions because of the uncomfortable subject matter.

After our experience with Health Days, a group of students and I pushed up against the school’s adminis tration, because we thought that students should be active in educating each other. We felt that if more time were given to suicide prevention training and mental health work, then those subjects would become

less taboo. The more people were able to talk comfortably about suicide and mental health, the more effectively we could help prevent suicide. Because we questioned, we were eventually able to work with the administration to create the Suicide Prevention and Awareness Council.

We also thought that if it were students administering the “LEARN” Suicide Prevention Training program to other students, it might make for a safer environment for those being taught. The training is focused on reducing suicide by empowering individuals and communities to take sustain a ble action, cha mpioning systemic change, and restoring hope to foster a world that open ly addresses suicide and mental health with compassion. This was something we could stand behind as we believe students might feel more comfortable asking questions on the topic of suicide to other students rather than adults.

The leaders and administrators at SAAS were not only willing to listen to our feedback but were ready to help us put our ideas into action. My group of student peers are all now certified to train other students in suicide prevention, and we have done that in multiple 9th grade Health classes. Our LEARN training is now integrated into the school’s new health curriculum.

Additionally, we created, coordinated, and ran a SAAS Health and Wellness Week in the Spring of 2019, with various activities including a panel and LEARN suicide preven tion training led by students. Because the health week last year was so well received and successful, we planned three different-themed health weeks through the 2019–20 school year. One of these is devoted to mental health and suicide prevention.

Just simply asking questions in health class lead to schoolwide change, and that's the beauty of SAAS. SAAS gives students a unique opportunity to question, imagine, and create.

Questioning doesn’t come easy. It also takes a willing group of SAAS leaders to open themselves to feedback and frustration. I’m grateful to be part of a dynamic community that listens and supports students so we can contribute boldly today and into the future. ☜