Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention Panel Presents Wednesday, October 27th, 2023

October 02, 2023

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A local “Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention” Panel presented Wednesday, October 27^th, 2023 at 7:00 pm at the Seward Civic Center, Langworthy Auditorium-sponsored by the GFWC Seward Womans Club and the Seward High Family, Community, Career Leaders of America (FCCLA). The event was free and open to all with an emphasis to encourage local youth to attend.

The Welcome and Introductions was presented by SHS Senior, Julya Metschke, SHS FCCLA President.  She also served as the Seward High Teen Suicide Awareness Month Chair.

The panel consisted of - Anna Downing-Mother of the late Thomas Bosmeniel, who lost his life to suicide Taunya Schlueter-BA, RN, CRRN-who lost a good friend to suicide, Jon Metschke MA, LIMHP, LPC Mental Health Practitioner and Professional Counselor- Metschke Counseling,  and Dr. David Miers-Lincoln Bryan Mental Health Services Executive Director.

Anna Downing presented her story centered on Thomas and spoke that the person committing suicide affects so many in so many ways.  She shared her son Thomas’ story, how it devastated the family and encouraged any and all to talk and ask for help.  Taunya Schuleter spoke on losing a close friend to suicide and shared how she is now active in a variety of preventive measures and groups dealing with the issue.

Both Dr. David Miers and Jonathan Metschke focused on Suicide Prevention and Postvention-stressing that “Mental Health is as important as physical health.  Miers commented on the prevalence of Mental Illness and noted that about 1 in 4 or 25% of adults have some level of mental illness.  He said 1 in 7 youth have a form of mental illness and that depression is the most common form of mental illness.

He said, in Nebraska we have 14.7 suicides per 100,000 and nationally it is 14.5! Nebraska ranks 35^th in states for the rate of suicide. 

Both Metschke and Miers shared Myths of dealing with suicide and spoke on prevention techniques.  They discussed the risk factors, especially with teens and commented on the “Warning Signs” of Suicide.

Advice was shared in the hour program and they stressed the new National Suicide Helpline 988!

Miers spoke about the Byran Medical Center Behavioral Health Services available and commented on the work of the National State Suicide Prevention Coalition and the LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors). 

The entire panel encourage and reminded the audience-You are not alone!  If feeling hopeless, depressed or suicidal, call or text 988 or go to Bryan West Campus Emergency Department.

Sara Kettlehake, with Four Corner’s Health, spoke on the various Suicide Awareness meeting and program from Four Corners in York.

Both Four Corner’s Health and the GFWC Seward Womans Club offered tables with printed information for those attending on Suicide Awareness.  

Questions and answers followed the presentation.   The members of the GFWC Seward Womans Club furnished the refreshments for the evening, following the presentation.  

For more information on Teen Suicide Awareness contact Dr. David Miers at dave.miers@bryanhealth.org.

Photo: L-Promoting Groups join to present on Teen Suicide Awareness.

Jonathn Metschke-Counselor, Angela Belew-GFWC SWC, Julya Metschke-SHS FCCLA, Dr. David Miers-Bryan Health, Anna Downing-Panelist, Taunya Schlueter-Panelist and Sara Kettlehake-Four Corners Health of York.