Suicide Prevention Week

Alaska may have the one of the highest rates of suicide per capita in the country, but thousands of people across the state have vowed to work toward reducing that figure and creating a healthier, happier, and brighter Alaska for future generations.  

In years past, students from across Alaska were encouraged to create a “Wall of Hope” at their schools during Alaska Suicide Prevention Week in September to identify positive aspects in their lives that highlight why living is important to them.  

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected all Alaskans and it is even more important to send “Messages of Hope” to our students and their families. This could be as simple as printing positive messaging posters and putting them in school windows, using uplifting messages in your daily communications with students and families, or adding encouraging notes to students’ take-home packets/lunches. These messages could also be translated into your local language or local dialect. 

If you are doing Face-to-Face instruction and are able to facilitate the traditional “Wall of Hope” - that is great! It is important that students work together with their peers, teachers, counselors, and administrators to create a safe, informative, meaningful, and memorable “Wall of Hope” in their schools. 

DEED created a Toolkit to help you with these projects. If you are looking for information, resources, or support, please visit DEED’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness page. 

If you create “ Messages of Hope” or “Wall of Hope” in your school or virtually please send a picture/sample to sharon.fishel@alaska.gov and/or share on social media by tagging @alaskaDEED. 

Be well and take care of yourself and your families.