05/13/2022
Let's not forget the past, as we move into the Future.
Recently, I have been thinking about those dark, scary days in Herriman 2017 and 18. It started with one student taking their life and then another and another. Herriman High and Herriman City were experiencing a Su***de Cluster. �
As the School Board Member representing this area, I felt helpless. I was told not to talk about it because that would cause other students to take their life. We tried to bury the issue, hoping it would go away. �
The game-changer for me was a class I attended at the National School Board Conference in San Antonio. I skipped dinner, and slipped into a packed room, to hear a su***de expert, address the issue. The myths of Su***de were dispelled and replaced with the hope that we could make a difference. �
I shared my notes with the Jordan School Board, Herriman High, and the community of Herriman. We began talking about Mental Health Wellness, and openly discussed anxiety, depression, loneliness, and a variety of other things that causes people to feel like there is no hope for the future.
The Jordan School District became a leader in Utah Schools for Mental Health resources. We hired a psychologist, License Social Works, and counselors. We developed a new administration department in our district, which created Social and Emotional Resources that helped kids understand the emotions they were feeling. �
Clubs were organized at the school. The Golden Gate Club, Be Kind, Hope Squad, and Sources of Strength became an important part of the social environment in our schools. �
The community stepped up creating Herriman Community Awareness, headed up by Teddy Hodges. Healthy Herriman and Riverton gave QPR training. Students not only had the Safe Utah App and Su***de Hotlines on their phones, but they also used them. �
If you need help, you told someone, and if others saw you need help, they told someone for you. The community worked together to save the lives of our young people. �
Tonight, I have the honor of sharing OUR story at a Su***de Prevention Concert at the Maverik Center. Our Friend Alex Boye came to the rescue back in those days, and we all helped make the incredible video Bend Not Break. That was a healing event for me and our community.
With Su***de, it is nearly impossible to count the lives you save, we only count the lives you lose. I can say, wh have not lost a life of a student to su***de in our school district, since the Song "Bend Not Break" was recorded. �
Safe Utah App referrals are up, as well as Su***de helpline calls. Mental Health Counselor offices are full, which are all great signs that what we are doing, is working. �
I will continue to dedicate my life, to helping others save theirs.
I am grateful to be a part of the Bend Not Break Foundation.
We have got to come together again as a community and work together to be kinder to each other. We have got to foster love instead of hate. We have to go to get rid of darkness and replace it with light because light gives us life. �
If you need help, let me know or let someone else know. Several times, people in this community helped me, when I was losing hope. I am here because of them. They would not let me give up on myself. �
I want to keep living because I love YOU. I love the Herriman Community. We have been through some dark times together, but working together, we can see the light. �
I hope you can come to the Alex Boye concert tonight, but if not tonight, we will have another one soon. We are not done fighting the devastating effects of Su***de, which has taken so many people that we love away from us.
National Su***de Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
or call 911.
If you have not seen the Wall Street Journal Story about our community, take a few minutes and watch it. ��
In less than a year, six students who had attended Herriman High School in Utah committed su***de. The WSJ visited Herriman and found a community searching f...
