AKRON — Remedy Live, an organization that specializes in listening and advising people who are having life issues, recently gave a presentation at Tippecanoe Valley High School to a mixture of high school and middle school students. During that presentation a survey was given to roughly half of the students present, which asked if the students felt that the school supported their emotional health.

71 percent of the students surveyed answered no.

“I was shocked at the number, but the answers made sense,” said a Tippecanoe Valley High School student who wished to remain anonymous. “The teachers at the school are great; they care about you emotionally as well as academically. The administrative staff kind of just run you through the system.”

The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation has been through a lot in the past few years. December of 2012 marked the beginning of an unfortunate string of suicides that has marred the school corporation deeply, students and faculty alike. The mood that hangs over Tippecanoe High School in particular seems to be one of helplessness and it has many parents concerned.

“It was heartbreaking. In my mind I immediately flashed back to the boy who was in my son’s class that committed suicide… It broke my heart to know that there are still kids out there who feel like that; like they have no where to turn,” stated a concerned parent, who also wished to remain anonymous.

Yet, in the midst of these tragedies, the administration at TVHS has not been idle.

“If there is a school in the state of Indiana; if there is a school in this country, that has done more since January of 2013, to address the mental health it’s kids and it’s community, I’d like to know where it is,’ stated Brett Boggs, the superintendent of TVHS.

“Within less than a year, we put a number of things in place… We contracted with Bowen services and brought a student assistance program to the school… we provided QPR Suicide Prevention training for all of our students, all of our staff and the parents.. we put in completely new paperwork at the high school in terms of procedures for risk assessment for students… we sent over a dozen staff to state conference on suicide… this was not a passive response, this was a very strong response,” listed Dr. Michael Bendicsen, principal of Tippecanoe Valley High School when asked about the administration’s response to these tragedies.

Even as the administration mourns the losses they’ve experienced over these past years, they intend to move forward and take care of their students.

“When you start losing kids, it’s hard. It’s really hard… We’re doing everything we can to make sure our kids are safe and well,” Boggs said.

If you or a student you know at Tippecanoe Valley High School is having difficulty and they don’t know where to turn, call (574) 387-3825. That number will allow anonymous messages to be left that will reach the administrators of TVSC.

Or text ‘remedy’ 313131 to reach a Remedy Live soul medic, who will be happy to listen.