By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Center for Counseling and Consultation in Great Bend has helped
organize a teen-led suicide prevention program, called Zero Reasons Why of
Central Kansas.
The program is designed to empower teenagers to gain insight into how to help a
family member or friend that is struggling.
The Center’s teen liaison for Zero Reasons Why is Holly Bowyer and
she said depression and suicidal thoughts are happening everywhere, including
here in the Golden Belt.
"It's across the board and across the world," said Bowyer. "COVID has done a toll on everybody's mental health. With the isolation, money's really tight with increased costs...it's not just our area. Everyone should know they're not alone. There are lots of people struggling right now. There is help available."
The Center for Counseling recently held an exercise called “Crisis Orientation”
where approximately 70 teenagers from the area participated in scenarios that
offered guidelines about possible actions to take or not take with a struggling family member or friend.
"Don't ignore it," said Bowyer. "Somebody may appear to be joking, but you need to follow up because that may be their cry for help. That may be their indicator. Ask the individual if they were serious. Don't leave the person. If you can't get a hold of them, get a hold of someone close to them."
Those who want to seek help immediately have several 24/7 options. They may contact The Center by calling 620-792-2544 or its crisis hotline number, 1-800-875-2544. Other options are the new nationwide 988 number, and 1-800-273-8255, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, as well as texting 741741.
The Center for Counseling and Consultation is a Community Mental Health Center serving Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties.