Minnesota school receives federal funds to help teens and faculty work through recent student suicides

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools recently announced that it has awarded Anoka Hennepin Independent School District 11 with a $49,641 grant.

The funding is aimed at helping the recovery efforts following suicide deaths of nine of the school district’s students in 2009. The Project School Emergency Response to Violence grant helps officials respond to the aftermath of a traumatic event, while trying to re-establish a safe learning environment.

The school is seeking to supply students and faculty with support services, including psychologists, counselors, social workers. However, these professionals report that there remain a high number of at-risk students who are troubled with depression and other mental health issues.

Enrolling children into programs for troubled youth or boarding schools can help them overcome the emotional grief that can occur after traumatic events and lead them toward healthy, productive lives.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that in 2009 nearly 14 percent of high school students reported that they had seriously considered attempting suicide in the 12 months prior to the study.