SHAWNEE, Kan. — Days after two students passed away at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, parents stood outside Thursday morning holding signs to encourage other students.
The Shawnee Mission School District sent a letter Wednesday notifying parents after two students passed away this week. Both students attended Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.
41 Action News has confirmed that the students ended their lives by suicide. One student passed away on Monday and the other on Wednesday morning.
“I made these ribbons last night and they are the colors of suicide awareness so I am going to hand them out to the students to raise awareness,” said junior Kaitlyn Moore.
Moore and dozens of other parents and students stood outside before school Thursday holding signs to encourage students and let them know they aren’t alone.
“I have had someone in my family commit suicide, so having someone I know as well has been a big thing for me,” Moore said. “It’s a sad vibe because we are missing these kids. The fact that the students have come together and done so many things to help the student body, it has been a really good thing.”
Rebecca Fegers is a mother of a sophomore at Shawnee Mission Northwest.
“It hits you right in the gut. I can’t imagine being a parent in this situation. When I look back you understand, its so easy for these kids to come up against a lot in their lives, it is hard to stomach,” said Fegers.
She said she had a long, honest talk with her children this week about suicide.
“(It's) something that we definitely sat down and had conversation about last night. Just being truthful and honest about the stigma that has taken place. If they see someone who are having trouble or not in a happy place, to reach out and show them that they care.”
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If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call them at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
More resources:
- In case of immediate life-threatening injury call 911.
- Coping with suicide loss from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Access Crisis Intervention Hotlines in Missouri
- Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center
- Additional resources from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- The Veterans Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 Press 1
- Johnson County Mental Health 24 hour Crisis Line: 913-268-0156
- Missouri’s Access Crisis Intervention number: 1-888-279-2132 (toll-free)
- Kansas City VA Medical Center: (816) 861-4700
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Suicide Awareness Survivor Support
