Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24 years old. Too often teenagers may feel alone. Knowing this, Caesar Rodney High School Wellness Center Counselor Christina Eilers, LCSW, and her coworkers created the Anchor Project. It’s their hope the project can be a symbol of compassion and connect students with resources.
Bayhealth’s Wellness Centers provide Delaware’s teenagers with health services in cooperation with each teen’s family physician. Located in area schools, the centers work to meet the needs of today’s youth. This includes their health education and, nutritional, mental and emotional needs.
The Anchor Project encourages students to pay it forward by showing others they’re an anchor in times of need. Through the project, the Wellness Center has anchor pins attached to “beAnchored” cards to bring awareness to suicide prevention. Students can wear the anchors in support of the cause, or pass it on to someone who needs hope. The kickoff for the Anchor Project was held in conjunction with Suicide Prevention Month in September. Equally valuable resources are available at other Bayhealth Wellness Centers.
“This message is about hope and encouraging students to anchor themselves – to stay. When a student struggling is given an anchor from a fellow student, it’s a symbol of support and shows they aren’t alone,” Eilers said. Students are wearing the anchor pins front and center.
It’s important to show students that someone is available to help them with mental health issues, Eilers said. It’s not uncommon for her to see students who lack a support system at home. Some students are even homeless. “We want our students to know they’re not alone,” she said.
For students under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign a Parental Consent Form, complete with the Medical History Form and return both to the Wellness Center before the student may receive healthcare services. Once these forms are submitted, students can stop by or make an appointment at the Wellness Center to learn more. “Although what’s discussed during our appointments is between the counselors and the students, we do like to include parents in the conversation when the students are comfortable,” Eilers said. “It’s important for students to have an outlet; to have someone they can confide in. Once students are ready to share, we involve the parents to show the students they’re part of their support system too.”
Visit Bayhealth.org/High-School-Wellness-Centers for more information. If your teenager is in need of a physician, visit Bayhealth.org/Find-A-Doc or call 1-866-BAY-DOCS (229-3627).
