Suicide Prevention

FACTS:

Every day in the U.S., 1000 kids age 15-24 make a suicide attempt.

1/3 of all teens with have considered suicide before their senior year of high school.

1/2 of all teens will have at least one friend who talks to you about ending their lives.

In kids ages 15-24, 10% of boys and 20% of girls will make a suicide attempt.

Every day, 14 kids age 15-24 complete suicide. This means that every 100 minutes someone dies of suicide.

The Suicide rate has tripled in the past few years among adolescence.

How effective are the suicide prevention progams in BPS?

Abstinence Education

Sexual abstinence is defined as: the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity. 'Abstinence only' is the prefered curricular direction that most schools take as they are funded by federal funds that require certain guidelines. Acording to a study in 2004, the numbers are encouraging. “There is much good news in these results,” said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. “More teenagers are avoiding or postponing sexual activity, which can lead to sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy or emotional and societal responsibilities for which they are not prepared.”
Recently, our freshman were exposed to a program titled Stop and Think from Care Net of Billings on the topic of sexual abstinence. Their message was that obstaining from sex until you are maried is the only 100% and safest way to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STD's. It was delivered by two young people who had real life experiences to share while providing credible information.

1. If you were present for one of these sessions, was this an effective way to spread the word about sexual abstinence?
2. If you were not present, but have had exposure to this topic in the past did the information you were given change they way you dealt with relationships?
3. Do you have other ideas/opionions on this type of education and its place in school?

Dealing with Divorce

For many people, the divorce of their parents marks a turning point in their lives, whether the divorce happened many years ago or is taking place right now. 50%marriages in the United States today end in divorce, so children of divorce are certainly not alone. It may seem hard, but it is possible to cope with divorce - and have a happy family life in spite of some changes divorce may bring. After all, couples divorce one another, not their kids.
There's no doubt that your parents' divorce will affect your daily life. Depending on your particular situation, you may have to adjust to many changes. These could include things like moving and changing schools, spending time with both parents separately, and dealing with some parents' unpleasant feelings toward one another.
There are over 1 million children in the U.S. that have been affected by divorce. There will be ups and downs in the process, but teens can cope successfully with their parents' divorce and the changes it brings. You may even discover some unexpected positives. Many teens find their parents are actually happier after the divorce or they may develop new and better ways of relating to both parents when they have separate time with each one.