WMS Hope Squad and Student Council Team Up To Smash the Stigma!
Did you know that substance abuse problems and mental health issues are more common than many people realize? According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, around 50 percent of individuals with severe mental health disorders are affected by substance abuse. On 11/4/22, WMS Hope Squad advisors teamed up with Student Council’s Red Ribbon committee to get involved with the Yellow Tulip Project. YTP's core mission is to remove the stigma associated with mental illness and to remind people that there is help and hope for those living with mental illness. Students had fun while planting close to 150 yellow tulip bulbs to create mental health awareness. WMS Hope Squad advisors attended training this week and are excited to be bringing Hope Squad to our students in the near future. Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. The program reduces youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention. Another exciting event was WMS Student Council led Red Ribbon Awareness Week. The focus of this event was used to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. WMS hopes that the blooming yellow tulips every spring will create mental health awareness, remind youth to stay drug free, and offer hope to our Whitewater community. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, or you’re worried and would like emotional support, please call, chat or text 988 for immediate mental health assistance. Additional resources are listed below.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call, Text or Chat - 988
https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p03307.pdf
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ)
1-866-488-7386 or chat & text
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
