A sign-waving event throwing a spotlight on suicide and prevention, organized by Maui Economic Opportunity Youth Services, drew about 25 youth, staff and community members Tuesday to the grassy area fronting Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center in Kahului.
In Kaunakakai, MEO’s Youth Services Kāohi program organized a sign waving to highlight suicide in the community Tuesday in front of the Moloka‘i Public Library. About 10 youth and community members joined the event.
Middle and high schoolers in MEO Youth Services annually sign wave to mark Suicide Prevention Month in September.
Suicide and prevention are integral components in Youth Services’ curriculum offered in public and private high schools on Maui and Moloka‘i, as well as part of after school and fall, winter, spring and summer break programs.
Youth Services’ staff impart skills on youth to harness their personal strengths to deal with life’s challenges, as well as to identify signs of suicide among peers and the steps to help them.
Individuals in crisis can seek help by calling 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline, which is available 24 hours, seven days a week.
For more information about MEO Youth Services’ programs, call (808) 243-4315.
Parker Clymer, an 8th grader at Kihei Charter School, joined a sign waving highlighting suicide and prevention on Tuesday. The event was organized by MEO Youth Services in the grassy area fronting Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center with some vehicles on Kaahumanu Avenue honking their horns in support.
Danielle Bergan, community coordinator for Mental Health America of Hawaii Maui, joined the sign waving to highlight suicide.
Kendrah Medeiros-Kiyonaga, junior at Baldwin High; Danika Carroll and Erica and Lurine Barut, 7th graders at Maui Waena Intermediate; and Kamaile Figueroa, senior at Maui High, joined the suicide prevention sign waving.
MEO Youth Services youth and staff were joined by community members, including Aris Banaag of UH-MC, Student Affairs Counseling and Guidance Personal Support Counselor. He is a member of the E Ola Hou Maui Suicide Prevention Task Force.
Kaikea Barona (left), sophomore at Kihei Charter School, and Arrianna Shirota, freshman at Baldwin High.
Jaynina Gomes, MEO Youth Services Specialist.
Hina Wells, junior and Maui High, and Xavier Arcangel, senior at Lahainaluna High School, joined the sign waving event, marking September as Suicide Prevention Month.
