PHOENIX — Dozens of high school rivals throughout the Phoenix and Tucson areas are teaming up to create “Messages of Hope” videos aimed at preventing teen suicide during Teen Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September, according to a news release.
Some Chandler-area student-athletes are on this team trying to make a difference.
Football players, flag football players, cheerleaders and marching band members are showcasing their roles as student leaders on their campuses to remind their peers that working together to call attention to suicide prevention transcends high school rivalries.
Each Message of Hope emphasizes that troubled teens are not alone, even when they may feel like it.
“The point of this campaign is for teenagers to remind other teens that everyone has bad days, feels sad sometimes or just needs to talk,” says Nikki Kontz, clinical director at Teen Lifeline. “No matter what age you are, how talented you are or how popular you are, you’re not alone if you are struggling with your thoughts and feelings. There is always someone available to talk to and help.”
The teen messengers in the campaign include 14 football players, three flag football players, 10 cheerleaders and three band members from 20 Arizona high schools in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.
Organized by Teen Lifeline, the students star in a series of professionally produced public service announcement-style videos, both as individuals and together with a student from a rival high school.
Calls and texts to the 24/7/365 Teen Lifeline hotline often peak among their highest volumes of the year in September, during the weeks that follow the beginning of the fall semester.
The Messages of Hope campaign encourages teens to seek help if they feel depressed or suicidal. The videos will be seen throughout the month of September on student, team and school social media channels and will be broadcast during morning announcements on participating high school campuses whenever possible.
Athletes participating in this year’s Messages of Hope campaign include ones from public and private high schools in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Peoria, Goodyear, Surprise, Oro Valley Tucson and these Chandler student-athletes:
• Lily Whitlark, a pom member at Basha High School.
• Ayanna Austin, a flag football player at Casteel High School.
• Camryn Favre, a cheerleader at Casteel High School.
• Deblin Hemphill, a cheerleader at Chandler High School.
• Melina Loreto, a cheerleader at Chandler High School.
“We’re grateful that these students volunteer their personal time to record Messages of Hope,” Kontz says. “Many of the messengers have friends who have experienced thoughts of suicide, so they know first-hand how important it is to let troubled teens know that support is always just a phone call away.”
Teens who are struggling to feel hope in their lives are encouraged to call Teen Lifeline anytime at 602-248-TEEN (8336) or 800-248-TEEN. Teens can also text the hotline at 602-248-8336 between noon and 9 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. on weekends
The 24-hour hotline is staffed by teen peer counselors from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. daily. Trained, professional counselors are available at all other times.
Teen Lifeline is an Arizona-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission of preventing teen suicide by enhancing resiliency in youth and fostering supportive communities.
Established in 1986, Teen Lifeline is accredited through the American Association of Suicidology.
The service received almost 48,000 calls and text messages in 2023.
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