It was May of my sophom*ore year of high school; seemingly just another school day, with no indication that things were about to swiftly change.
The fire alarm sounded, and everyone began exiting the school chattering about typical high school rumors; someone forgot to put water in their microwave mac-n-cheese which caught fire, or a prank fire alarm pulled.
Little did we know that a student had attempted suicide in the nurse’s office.
Later, I found out that the student who attempted suicide was an old friend of mine. Thinking back to the seemingly happy and sociable guy I used to ride home with from soccer practice, I couldn’t help but wonder what made him hit this breaking point in the middle of a school day? What could have prevented this?
Wanting to let him know that there were people such as myself who valued his amazing presence in this world, I took the initiative to pay him a visit the week following his attempt. We hadn’t spoken to each other in a while, but I just knew that showing up for him when he needed someone meant the world to him, and he still reminds me of that to this day. I was there for him, I listened to him, I let him know that his emotions were heard and valued, which is something every adolescent suffering from mental health issues needs.
That decision to be the person who he could talk to and be heard rekindled our friendship, and to this day, almost 8 years later, we are still best friends. I know for certain that if my friend had not received the support he needed from me and others, this story of friendship could have ended very tragically.
Every day, someone’s son, daughter, brother, sister or friend is failed by the lack of mental health resources within the education system. Research shows that there are approximately 12 youth suicides every day throughout the U.S. and 7-8% of adolescents attempt suicide each year while roughly 17% report suicidal ideation. In order to prevent such tragedies, students must have easily accessible and effective resources to conquer and overcome any mental health struggles they may be facing before it is too late.
That is why I am advocating for Connecticut Senate Bill 216, which would require the Department of Education to conduct a study of the feasibility of using an online mental health needs software application in schools.
Technology and the internet is so accessible in the world we currently live in, and it is more than capable of being an effective resource to seek help for students who suffer from mental health. A primary issue with students who struggle with mental health is feeling judged by other people. One way to mitigate this stigma is by making mental health services available online, which is the main premise of the legislation.
Just imagine if we utilized the highly advanced technology that we currently have to provide students with mental health issues the support and resources they need in a manner that reduces the possibility of stigma. In this bill, the Connecticut Department of Education will conduct a study on the feasibility of permitting local and regional boards of education to utilize a software application that is specifically designed to address the mental health needs of students through student user access to mental health professionals, all while maintaining the anonymity of the student.
We have the ability to help our young people and decrease the rates at which they are taking their own lives. The state of Connecticut has already issued $15 million in grants for mental health specialists in 72 districts across the state for 2024, 2025, and 2026, meaning we have the mental health professionals, and now the software application that allows these students to get in contact with them is another key piece.
I asked my friend who had struggled so much with mental health what would have helped him when we were in high school. I wanted to know whether a software application designed to assist in mental health needs while maintaining confidentiality would have been useful, and possibly prevented him from attempting suicide. His immediate reaction was; “I wish I had that when I was struggling”. He said the biggest issue was “100%” other people — and particularly students — knowing about his mental health struggles.
Bottom line, being able to connect with a mental health professional while maintaining anonymity can save a life. It could be your son, daughter, brother, sister, or friend in the position of a mental health crisis. It is imperative for us to recognize this urgent need for action. Children are suffering, and adults have the power to change that.
Dominic Arborio is a Senior at Sacred Heart University, majoring in Health Science with a concentration in Global Health. Dominic will continue his academics at Sacred Heart studying Radiography.
