Scene from a Suicide Prevention Activity in 2014. Photo by Cody Adams 

Another scene from a Suicide Prevention Activity in 2014. Photo by Cody Adams

By BERNADETTE PAURITZEN
Executve Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions

September is Suicide Prevention Month and 10 years ago, Faith Glasco and Elizabeth Hjelvik had a goal to spread “awesome” at Los Alamos High School. Their multi-pronged project took roots spreading to Los Alamos Middle School and their WEB Crew program. Their efforts went on to win them a Spirit of the West Award.

On World Suicide Prevention Day Tuesday, the Los Alamos Youth Activity Center and Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) partnered to begin spreading another round of awesome.

The simple task, answer the following questions:

• What makes you awesome?
• What makes life awesome? and
• How do you reduce your stress?

The results were positive and it is not only a glimpse into the minds of our youth, but questions you should ask and answer around the dinner table.

Director Bailey Martinez of the Los Alamos and White Rock Youth Activity Centers knows the importance of education and your relationship with youth. Her guidance of her third through eighth grade students is top of mind for both her and her staff.

“I am always grateful for our collaborations with C’YA,” Martinez said. “We come together to facilitate meaningful activities for kids at the Youth Activity Centers. The Wall Of Awesome allows students to really think about what makes life awesome and more importantly what makes them awesome.”

The center staff helped students assemble the wall so throughout the next few weeks their parents and  guardians can have a great visual of what is in the minds of our youth. When you see that family may be the thing that makes life awesome or how they handle their own stress, it can be a life changing moment. Often simple tasks like getting a few books for them while stopping by the library or making their favorite meal, might be just the thing as school is off and running.

“Students are continuously learning about themselves and the world around them,” Martinez said. “Activities like this help instill confidence and meaning to their lives.”

Los Alamos Family Council operates the Youth Activity Centers. You can learn more by visiting www.la-fc.org. You can learn more about C’YA at www.cya-nm.org.

Scene from a Suicide Prevention Activity in White Rock. Photo by Cody Adams

Students write messages expressing what makes them awesome, what makes life awesome and how they reduce their stress as part of a Suicide Prevention Activity. Photo by Cody Adams

Students express what makes them awesome, what makes life awesome and how they reduce their stress. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen 

More answers from students. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen