Caution: The following article covers sensitive toppings including death and suicide.
For a few months, Northern Kentucky has faced an overwhelming number of tragedies impacting every corner of the community. A total of five juvenile suicides have struck Northern Kentucky. Neighbors, friends, and family have linked arms with one another in this season of hurt and unification. By coming together the wounds of lives lost are being healed one day at a time. Most recently on Sunday, Florence Baptist Church held a gathering of families and students in the area.
At the meeting, the two mothers of one of the children spoke out to encourage students dealing with depression and anxiety. Amber Murphy compassionately voiced, “Be in the state of consciousness, and listen to your children when they express fear, pain or doubt.” Another speaker, Psychologist Dr. Wayne Chappelle shared a similar tone in his reasons. Dr. Chappelle walked through practical observation tactics and recognized the atmosphere of suicide as an entity of rippling effect. While dealing with the waves of despair, he spoke on the question of light in darkness and the origin of hope. Although in another profession as a former Bengals player, Will Clarke inspired people to be aware of their mental health and reach out in times of doubt.
An excess of doubt, otherwise known as depression, is often the culprit. Depression is described as, “a common and serious mental disorder that negatively affects how you feel, think, act, and perceive the world,” by Chinenye Onyemaechi of the American Psychiatric Association. She goes on to describe how depression sinks into the filter by which one sees the world, yet it is the most treatable mental illness. Treatment is becoming rapidly available as the awareness of mental health increases. Walton Verona High School is one of the communities armed for the battle.
“Although our troubling situations seem unique to us, there will be other peers or community members we can connect with to help us navigate any situation that may be troubling us. Making new and lasting connections can pull us up and give us something to look forward to. You can meet new people by joining a new club, trying out for a new sport, signing up for a new type of class in school, joining a volunteer program, becoming involved at a church, getting a new job, and meeting new people that way,” Mr. Able elucidates. As a new counselor this year at WVHS, Mr. Able wants students to know their value. In hopes of dousing the fear of judgement, he declared, “Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
If you or someone you know is dealing with harmful thoughts and depression, Mr. Able provided a list of resources for students:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat online 24/7 for free, confidential support
- Kentucky School STOP tip line: 866-393-6659 For anonymous online reporting of unsafe situations in a school, tip is passed to school personnel
- Crisis Text Line: Text KY to 741-741. A free 24/7 option: This will connect you to a trained volunteer crisis counselor in our state. This can help you find healthy alternatives to self-harm and move from hot moment to a cool calm.
Local Resources Include:
- WVHS School counselors – Mrs. Webster (A-K) and Mr. Abell (L-Z)
- SUN Behavioral Health – 859-374-7173 or visit sunkentucky.com
- Children’s Home Northern Kentucky (CHNK) – Offers services from therapy to case management and everything in between. Visit www.chnk.org for more information
