About a dozen members of Maui Economic Opportunity’s Youth Services program waved signs like “Tomorrow Needs You,” “Malama Iā ‘Oe Iho – Take Care Of Yourself,” and “Asking for Help Is A Sign of Courage” on Wednesday, Sept. 8, to help mark Suicide Prevention Week.
Suicide prevention, especially among youths, is an important issue in the community. In a 2019 survey, rates of Maui County high schoolers who felt hopelessness, were seriously considering suicide, made a suicide plan and attempted suicide exceeded Hawaii-wide and national averages.
The sign-waving event to bring public awareness of the issue was organized with the E Ola Hou (To Live Again) Prevent Suicide Maui County Task Force, of which MEO Youth Services is a member. Officials with Mental Health America of Hawai‘i and UH-Maui College joined the sign waving to mark Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 5-11.
The youths designed many of the signs that were held up during the event on Kaahumanu Avenue, fronting the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center.
A video of the sign waving can be found on Instagram at meo_youthservices.
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About a dozen Maui Economic Opportunity’s Youth Services members held up signs Wednesday, Sept. 8, on Kaahumanu Avenue fronting the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center. The sign waving was part of events marking Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 5-11, organized by the E Ola Hou Prevent Suicide Maui County Task Force.
Seventh-grader Rylen Muray (left), who attends Iao Intermediate School, and Jaden Takushi, an 11th-grader at King Kekaulike High School,
participate in a suicide prevention sign waving event.
