Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health

Changing Attitudes - Saving Lives

 "Changing Attitudes - Saving Lives" is part of a day's work at the Alexian Center.  Thanks to a generous $15,000 gift from the Alexian Brothers Ministry Fund, two Center staffers will be able to change attitudes and save lives in local schools, as well.

Sadly, suicide is the third ranking cause of death among youth in the U.S. today, with data suggesting that 12 American youth take their own lives every day.

Despite this shocking statistic, suicide remains one of the most preventable causes of death in our society.  When the Alexian Center's chaplain Jim Christian and after-care service manager Rick Germann came up with a way to help prevent more suicides among local youth, they turned to the Alexian Brothers Ministry Fund, which agreed to fund their effort.

"Changing Attitudes - Saving Lives" is a one-hour suicide awareness, prevention, and intervention seminar that Christian and Germann will deliver to students, faculty, and staff of local public and private elementary and high schools.  By teaching schools how to erase the stigma of mental and emotional disorders, and how to identify the warning signs of mental illness and potential suicidal tendencies, more lives will be saved.  

"We will teach school officials and students how to respond compassionately to those who suffer and may be at risk," explained Christian.  "Specifically, we are targeting adult gatekeepers -- clergy, teachers, administrators, support staff and volunteer parents -- with the message of early identification and prevention, so young people can get the professional help they need."

Christian added that the Alexian Center is also partnering with Parish Support Services school social workers who are offering the anti-stigma curriculum to 21 Roman Catholic schools, along with the gatekeeper training.

Meanwhile, a group of teens from nearby Elk Grove High School (above) are working with their teacher Jim Arey to inform peers about alternatives to suicide and how to reach out to other students and adults.  Their series of creative video spots on mental illness were shown on classroom monitors throughout the high school, and serve as models for other schools to emulate. 

The students showed their video during a January 18 gathering at the Alexian Center to discuss mental health and schools.  The meeting was hosted by Alexian Center director of program services Scott Burgess (left) and included Illinois State Representative Kathy Ryg (right).