Every 40 seconds a life is taken by suicide. This alarming rate highlights the critical need for understanding mental health that requires open conversation. Over the years, suicide prevention and awareness have been brought to light—still, they are not nearly spoken about enough. As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), one in seven teenagers experiences a mental disorder. These include behavioral and emotional disorders, both of which may lead to thoughts of suicide and/or self-harm. No matter the severity, recovery is possible. Clark County School District (CCSD) provides free Mental health services available for all Clark County students. In an emergency, text or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Junior Janelle Fiamordi expressed, “Some people often dismiss mental health which makes it harder for students to ask for help. There is a stigma around mental health because some believe it’s not real.”
Junior Kennedi Allen opposed, “There isn’t a stigma because it’s more normalized.”
For students who feel more comfortable through virtual connection, Hazel Health offers online therapy at home and at school. Their program is personalized to a child’s age, needs, and goals based on a consultation appointment, which is designed to assess a child’s individual needs with an intake specialist. For high-school students, the focus is on plans after graduation, building resilience, self-identity, and exploring relationships. Each weekly session is 45 to 60 minutes, excluding the initial 75-minute consultation appointment. The program can last anywhere from two to six months. Hazel Health claims that after an average of six sessions, students show improved mental health, academic performance, and behavior. Their program aims to build confidence, regulate emotion, increase self-awareness, form healthy relationships, cope with grief and trauma, and so forth.
Negative emotions such as sadness, anger, stress, and anxiety are feelings that people have a tough time expressing due to fear of being judged, or being ignored. This eventually leads to suppressing these emotions and slowly declining mental health, all the while symptoms go unnoticed.
Allen stated, “It will be easier for students to ask for help if teachers want to take the time to help students.”
Unlike Hazel Health, Care Solace is not a mental health service provider. Instead, they offer assistance in finding mental health and substance use support through their team of care companions. Their multilingual Care Companion team acts as a guide and finds suitable nearby providers and sets appointments. These external providers deliver the therapy and/or treatment. This 24/7 confidential program personalizes the experience to best match an individual’s life. Additionally, they connect users to resources covering food pantry and delivery service programs, shelter support, and low-cost health services.
Miracle Minds Therapy is powered by the United Citizens Foundation (UCF), and they’re a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC). Similar to previous resources, Miracle Minds adjusts to personal needs. They offer a variety of services including—but not limited to—crisis services, screening, assessment, and diagnosis, person-centered treatment planning, and outpatient mental health and substance use services. Their school-based program partners with Las Vegas schools to give onsite therapy aid, striving to enhance academic performance, decrease behavioural challenges, and improve student mental health.
There are plenty of resources for students’ emotional well-being; however, these CCSD-sponsored services offer 100% free assistance. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20% of US high school students in 2023 reported considering attempting suicide, while 16% reported creating a suicide plan, and 9% reported attempting suicide.
Everyone has their own situation in life, but don’t allow it to create a gap in relationships. Check in on friends and family and let them know they have a safe place to express how they feel, as suicide ideation can easily be hidden.
