Brighton High School Opens their hearts for Yellow Ribbon Week

November 7th began a very emotional week. Yellow Ribbon Week is designed to bring awareness to suicide and to provide help to those who are struggling. Brighton High School works endlessly to make sure their students feel safe and there is someone they can speak to.
“It’s helped raise awareness that there are always people that are available to help and not to be ashamed of needing help,” Councilor Jeff Miner said.
BHS has been extremely fortunate to not have a student fall victim to suicide in recent years, but depression and anxiety will touch many people throughout their time in high school and after. Many people have, or will struggle with suicidal thoughts; that is why this week’s importance is stressed as much as possible.
“It’s good that people now know what to do when they are put into a situation when they can help prevent someone from doing anything harsh,” sophomore Matt Trisch said.
This is a week most people can relate to and everyone can be a part of. Yellow Ribbon reminds students and staff to look out for one another and to understand and spot the warning signs of suicide. Although this week is made to offer help to those who need it and save lives, some people think it is better to take care of matters like these quietly. There are those who believe Yellow Ribbon stirs up controversy and invades the emotional and mental privacy of people struggling. However, if it was not for Yellow Ribbon, many people would not know what to do or where to look for help while struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts or actions.
“I’ve done Yellow Ribbon Week for three years, it’s just a very emotional time. Everybody goes through depression in their lives and it just reinstates that there is help for everyone and no matter if you’re purple, green, white, black, hispanic, male or female, there is always help and resources for everyone,” senior Evan Nelson said.
This week was ended with an emotional video shown to classes during third hour. Interviews with students and staff brought this week a little closer to home and struck a bit more empathy into the hearts of those who didn’t take the rest of the week as serious as it is meant to be.
Yellow Ribbon Week has made such a positive and powerful impact on the community. This week is so much more than just a color, it is about seeking out help and knowing that there are people who care.