Having your child commit suicide is one of the hardest things a parent can deal with. Two mothers who had that happen have come together to educate parents and students on how to appreciate life. Sylvia Harrel, whose son was a student at Blue Valley High, and BJ Thomas Wilson, whose daughter went to Paola High, have created “Give Me 20”, which was designed to give teens tools to remember why life matters. One of those tools is a Life Box, which teens can decorate and fill with things that make them happy. Awards, pictures of family and pets… anything that makes them feel better.
At a presentation at Paola High recently, the two stressed the importance of making a Life Box. They provided the students with the materials to make their own and encourage them to fill it full of things they love and bring it out when they are feeling down.
You can find out more about Life Boxes and other things related to preventing teen suicide at the website “givemelifelifebox.org.”
