In December, Tippecanoe Valley’s school counselors, administrators, community mental health experts, area pastors and law enforcement officers met to discuss ways to strengthen the mental health of the community.

As a result of those meetings, the Tippecanoe Valley Community Mental Health Task Force was formed with the following purpose: “To develop and implement strategies to both increase knowledge and provide support, while reducing the stigma of mental illness.” The vision of the Mental Health Task Force is: “A community that recognizes, responds, and empowers all citizens to good mental health.”

Currently, the work of the Mental Health Task Force is focused on the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. The Mental Health Task Force is pleased to announce the availability of free internet resources to help community members become more aware of the warning signs of youth suicide and how, as friends and family members, to respond to this preventable cause of death.

Members of the community are encouraged to go to the website of The Jason Foundation Inc. to learn more about the epidemic of youth suicide and to become familiar with the materials that will be presented to staff, students and the community during the upcoming school year. A link to The Jason Foundation Inc. can also be found on the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation’s website.

The Jason Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that give young people, educators, youth workers and parents the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth.

Students can check out the excellent resources available through the rascalflattsB1.com site that is linked through The Jason Foundation Inc. and parents/guardians can increase their awareness about the national health problem of youth suicide through the Parent Resource Program.

Anyone who would like to know more about the Tippecanoe Valley Mental Health Task Force, please contact any of the school counselors listed below or Tippecanoe Valley Superintendent of Schools, Brett Boggs, at 574-353-7741, ext. 1006.

Tippecanoe Valley High School Counselors: Stephanie Anglin, 574-353-7031, ext. 2440; and Scott Bibler, 574-353-7031, ext. 2430

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School Counselor: Susanne Siebrase, 574-353-7353, ext. 3112

Akron Elementary School Counselor: Deb Miller, 574-893-4646, ext. 509

Mentone Elementary School Counselor: Caroline Schlemmer, 574-353-7465, ext. 508