I hope you’ll forgive my slight intrusion into your Monday morning, which I suspect many of you thought was just that: an ambiguous Monday morning. Today, however, isn’t an average Monday. It’s World Suicide Prevention Day, and that’s a really big deal.

As a teacher, your job description is, of course, an expectation that you will provide students with the means to achieve and understand new things. You are essentially moulding the newest generation—a fresh batch of politicians, steelworkers, artists and everything in between. Teaching your pupils facts and the ability to manipulate those facts into something tangible is something you are required to do.

But you know as well as I do that you also have the opportunity to instill morals, values and general good character—whether by example or by careful crafting—into your students, and I wholeheartedly believe that this is a great opportunity to do just that.

According to the World Health Organization, one person in this world takes their own life every 40 seconds, and this rate is expected to double (1 person/20 seconds) by 2020. Further, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that suicide is the third most common death for young people (ages 15-24) in the United States.  Now take into account that 90% of all suicides are associated with a mental disorder and two out of three people that have depression never seek treatment.

I would only ask that you spend some time discussing these problems with your classes today. I know how closely you plan your classes, and I know that what you have to teach is important. But you could save a person’s life today. You could save someone from substance abuse, or you could help someone find help.

I’ve attached the flyer we’re handing out today. If you have questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact me or visit http://twloha.com, the website of the organization sponsoring this awareness week.

We’re all in this together. Spread the love.

Thank you,
Patrick Haertel
prhaertel@gmail.com
http://theredpen.org