A team of Carroll County Middle School students has been created to share a message of hope, strength and encouragement to their peers.
The group is part of Sources of Strength, a best practice youth suicide prevention project designed to harness the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, bullying, and substance abuse, according to its website.
CCMS Guidance Counselor Kyndal Yager and Social Worker Brandi McIntyre have spearheaded the team at the middle school. The students went through a training session and will meet regularly to discuss projects and ways to promote a positive school culture. Jan Smith, a member of the NorthKey prevention team, is also helping with the program.
“We’re trying to get a positive message out,” Yager told the diverse group of students at a meeting recently. “Our whole message is based on the fact that you are sources of strength.”
Sources of Strength utilizes an upstream approach for youth suicide prevention, to include multiple sources of support (protective factors) around young individuals so that when times get hard they have strengths to rely on, according to the Sources of Strength website.
The local Sources of Strength team will have a booth at the school’s upcoming Parent Club Night on April 25. They will also create posters and campaigns to promote good mental health and identify avenues for those who are in need of help.
“The whole point is for them to be able to lead their peers and have good and honest discussions,” McIntyre said.