MEO Youth Services organizes sign waving to highlight suicide prevention

A sign-waving event throwing a spotlight on suicide prevention, drew about 25 youth, staff and community members Tuesday to the grassy area fronting Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center in Kahului. The event was organized by Maui Economic Opportunity Youth Services.

In Kaunakakai, MEO’s Youth Services Kāohi program organized a similar sign waving event Tuesday fronting the Moloka‘i Public Library. About 10 youth and community members joined that event.

Middle and high schoolers in MEO Youth Services annually sign wave to mark Suicide Prevention Month in September.

Suicide prevention is an integral component in Youth Services’ curriculum offered in public and private high schools on Maui and Moloka‘i, as well as part of after school and fall, winter, spring and summer break programs.

Youth Services’ staff impart skills on youth to harness their personal strengths to deal with life’s challenges, as well as to identify signs among peers and the steps to help them.

Individuals in crisis can seek help by calling 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline, which is available 24 hours, seven days a week.

For more information about MEO Youth Services’ programs, call 808-243-4315.