Weber High students benefit needy families, suicide prevention program

Weber High students benefit needy families, suicide prevention program

(Courtesy of Live Hannah's Hope)


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PLEASANT VIEW — While some Utah families are able to provide an abundant Christmas full of goodies and toys for their loved ones, others struggle to afford the same.

The students at Weber High School are helping to alleviate the financial pressure of the holidays by organizing a charity that provides Christmas for about 15 families in their area and benefits another larger cause, according to Weber High teacher Quincey Pearce.

The annual Quarters & Cans charity has previously raised about $50,000 as students and community members have donated cash, spare change and canned goods.

This year, a portion of the money raised will go toward a suicide prevention program that launched after a former Weber High sophomore whose death was self-inflicted in 2014.

"When these students entered as sophomores, suicide just kind of became a more prevalent event," Pearce said. "…we had three students that had committed suicide and other attempts, and it became quite a forefront issue and something that we needed to address and talk about and try to help these kids feel like they're not alone. And we felt that the Warburton's had set up a really good foundation for this and to help address and help those kids that have some of those problems."

Hannah Warburton's friends didn't know the extent to which she was suffering, said her mother, Laura Warburton.

Warburton said that if her daughter had talked about it with her friends more aggressively, they would have been there for her.

That's why she started Live Hannah's Hope, to talk about mental illness and that it's OK to be sad and it's OK to talk about being depressed.

"One of the things that I've heard, and I heard before too is, 'oh, they attempted suicide because they wanted attention, she just wants attention or he just wants attention,' " Warburton said. "Well … if they attempt, they need attention. So we need to get rid of that as well."

Live Hannah's Hope provides free classes, but the organization does not yet have a facility to consistently hold the classes in.

How to help those impacted by a loved one's suicide
  • Don't leave them to grieve alone unless they ask you to
  • Avoid judgments and assumptions about the deceased or their families
  • Show empathy, not sympathy
  • Help alleviate guilt, anger
  • Show sensitivity in your speech
  • Consider the real needs of children
  • In time, help them to make meaning
(Source: The Independent)

Warburton said the money raised from Quarters & Cans will go toward such a facility and toward developing all of the courses further. The program also provides financial support for people to attend classes, another thing the charity will help with.

Those interested in taking a class now can visit the website and send an email so they can set up a class, Warburton said.

"I adore Weber High," Warburton said. "I am so grateful, and it's a healing thing for them as well, because that's where Hannah went. That was her school."

Quarters & Cans additionally benefits people staying in shelters and students who are in need of food on the weekends.

Quarters & Cans begins Friday and runs through Dec. 18. To donate to the cause, visit the school website.

Laura Osnes, who will be performing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Dec. 17-19 will perform at a Quarters & Cans benefit concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 14. at Weber High School. To get tickets, visit the website.

"The students benefit greatly, because it always feels good to help somebody out, and it helps to be able to get Christmas for kids, and it helps to be able to prevent suicide. These are all issues that are going to impact pretty much every student at some point in their life," Pearce said.

Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, KSL encourages you to call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.

Crisis Hotlines

  • Utah County Crisis Line: 801-226- 4433
  • Salt Lake County/UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
  • Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373- 7393
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
  • Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1- 866-488-7386

Online resources

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Megan Marsden Christensen

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