It is a grave and serious issue that should not be taken lightly. People lose their lives because of this. There are plenty of warning signs but some chose to ignore them; sometimes they do not notice them at all. And when one makes the connection, far too often, it is too late. He or she becomes another statistic; another mark on the board. They leave their friends and family in a stupor, not knowing what went wrong; why would someone do such a thing?

September 9 -15, AHN recognizes Suicide Prevention Week.

“It’s when someone takes their own life for some reason. They do it thinking their problems are too difficult, when in reality, they are solvable,” AHN sophomore Rebecca Parrillo says as she ponders the severity of the act.

The Crises Center of Tampa Bay states, “Often the person feels he/she is not being heard, understood or responded to by significant people in his/ her environment […]. People considering suicide in response to unhappy life situations typically invite intervention by talking about their intentions.”

With suicide being most relevant in high school and college settings, it is important for AHN students to understand and know what to do if faced with the issue.

It can happen to anyone: rich or poor, regardless of race, young or old.

An AHN student who preferred to use the pseudonym “Karkat,” admitted to being affected by the act. “I had a friend who tried, but she got caught before she could do anything. It made me feel horrible that she would even think about ending things like that.”

AHN senior, Nicole Perrella, valiantly offered to share her tale of how suicide is no joking matter and how it impacted her life.

“March 22, 2012. You don’t see it when it happens; it’s not that noticeable. Statistics are stupid, they say it’s because of being ‘bullied’ or ‘not being heard’; it’s more than that. I mean I was bullied, but I turned out alright.

My life changed when Casey Alexandra May took her life that day. I knew her for 11 years; met her in kindergarten and stayed friends with her ever since.

You never know when someone is going suicidal. She was a bright, cheery girl. Not some emo kid that everyone assumes them to be.

She took her life because she was bullied. Not just from my former school, but also from where she went. She was being bullied because her significant other was attempting suicide on six different accounts in front of her. Everyone blamed her, saying it was her fault that her significant other was trying to do this.

She hung herself around 2 P.M., and she wasn’t found until about four hours later.”

It’s not something that someone can predict, but the signs do reveal themselves.

The Crises Center lists a few of the warning signs.

The best thing to do when coping with someone who may show warning signs is to offer support, and most AHN students know when the situation is getting out of hand.

“If I was faced with it again, I would talk to them and tell them that they are not alone. I’d tell someone else if it was extremely dangerous, however. Safety first,” offers “Karkat,” in a nostalgic tone.

Contact the Crises Center or a trusted adult before things get serious; don’t add to the statistics!