A new year of better mental health as suicide prevention efforts carry on

Barrington Unit District 220 and St. Charles Unit District 303 are both assessing the success of an entire academic year without any student taking his or her own life.

An event before the Barrington football game Friday night was intended to mark the occasion in an entirely celebratory mood. But the tone has been shaken by the grief and disappointment of news of a 17-year-old senior's death in the final week of summer vacation.

The two school districts last year tackled what seemed to be abnormally high suicide rates in past years with programs aimed at preventing such deaths and promoting mental health services. As they begin the new school year this week, they're continuing the programs.

"HERE in Barrington" is the communitywide coalition of students, parents, faculty and professional counselors set up to address the issue. The name stands for "Help, Encouragement, Resources, Education."

Its inaugural event last year was called "Stomp the Stigma," aimed at erasing any sense of embarrassment or shame about seeking the help of counseling.

The theme of Friday evening's HERE Fest 2010 outside Barrington High School was intended to be, "Last year we stomped the stigma, this year we're all here together," according to Deanna Griffin, a parent co-chairman of the coalition.

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