On Saturday, the “Shatter The Silence” suicide awareness initiative took place at Kings Fork High School, marking nine years of providing a platform for sharing resources and personal stories.
High school junior Paris Mincer shared her struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide, emphasizing the difficulty of seeking help.
Charlene Cutting, a peer recovery specialist with WTCSB, highlighted that suicide is the second leading cause of death for children aged 10 to 14 in Virginia, with rates on the rise. Vonda Warren-Lilly, also with WTCSB, suggested that social media contributes to this issue, as young people often compare themselves to curated online images. Mincer echoed this sentiment, noting how screen time affected her self-perception but emphasized the importance of open dialogue about mental health, which can save lives.
For those in crisis, the suicide and crisis lifeline is available at 988.