Rachel Porath

I am a teacher in the Merrimack Valley school district who has lost numerous friends and students to suicide with the most recent loss being this past year. It is imperative that ongoing training is provided for ALL staff members in a public school to immediately recognize all signs of suicide because while some signs are obvious, MANY signs are NOT. Yearly training allows all staff members to remember how to recognize the signs and patterns of when a student needs serious help, and to know exactly what steps to take to get that student help. Not only that, but this yearly training reminds us JUST HOW COMMON SUICIDAL IDEATION IS AMONG OUR STUDENTS. Requiring yearly training absolutely saves young lives and it would be detrimental to our communities to discard it. Furthermore, sometimes one successful suicide inspires other suicidal students to think about it more seriously to the point where they may attempt it themselves. How do I know? Because I’ve had these EXACT conversations with students before. It’s so real, and in many cases, it’s highly preventable. I IMPLORE you - if you have a child or know a child in the public school system, do NOT take this yearly training away - it could help us save their life, literally.