A member of Project Connect Four waves a sign for passing cars in front of Queen Creek High School. (Photo by Miles Metke/Cronkite News)
QUEEN CREEK – A suicide prevention group rallied Friday in front of Queen Creek High School to show support for students, who have lost five classmates to suicide since May. The fifth death was reported just this week.
The event was hosted by Project Connect Four, created by mothers in the Valley concerned about rising suicide rates at high schools.
“We came out here … to show these kids that there are people out here who care about them and what’s happening,” said Christina Nguyen, president of Project Connect Four.
Suicides among teens and young adults have risen by about 3 percent since 2000, according to the American Society for Suicide Prevention. More than 2,000 teenagers ages 15 to 19 committed suicide in 2015, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.
Before dawn Friday, about 100 people gathered in front of Queen Creek High, holding signs with positive messages. Their goal, Nguyen said, was to show students that even if they don’t think they matter, they do. The group stood along the street to make sure all the students would see the signs as they arrived to class.
Elisa Bertram, the grandmother of a Queen Creek student, said it was important for adults to show their support.
“If we all stay together,” she said, “maybe we can make this never happen again.”
Students weren’t allowed to demonstrate on school grounds, but some were outside to show their support. They planned to take signs from the demonstration to hang in the school halls.
“We’re a family. It’s a good school and we come together in times of need,” senior Autumn Bourque said. “And everyone is bonding together: the administration, the teachers, the students. It’s all one united force.”
She had advice for fellow teens who may be going through a hard time.
“You’re loved and you matter. We want you here. If you ever need help, me, myself and a couple other people who are out here, are more than willing to talk and support you,” Bourque pledged.
If you are contemplating suicide, or know of someone who is, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
