Content Warning: The following story discusses sensitive topics related to suicide.

During the month of September, communities come together to spread awareness about the topic of Suicide Prevention. Suicide has notoriously been known as an uncomfortable subject for many which is why the goal of this month is to emphasize the heaviness of suicide and the importance of opening up about it. 

In 2020, men in the United States died of suicide 3.88 times more than women according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The main reason behind this shocking statistic is that men feel discouraged by today’s society to open up about their emotions, said Kathleen Levinson, a counselor at SJHHS. Furthermore, this common stereotyping of men as emotionless robots has forced many to feel trapped, alone, and hopeless; a stigma that is outdated and incredibly harmful. 

Academics piled on top of athletic engagements has caused many students athlete’s mental health to decrease exponentially. Katie Meyer, a senior goalkeeper at Stanford University, died because of suicide in March of 2022. The pressure many teens face with sports is a prevalent issue in today’s society. There are elevated levels of stress, pressure, exhaustion, and even loneliness among student athletes because of their constant struggle in juggling their vigorous schedules. However, not nearly enough of them seek help when they are feeling overwhelmed.  

Something that we as a society must keep in mind is that suicide is preventable. Some early signs include: