CHICAGO -- Chicago Public Schools on Tuesday announced the launch of a mental health and suicide prevention campaign that encourages students in seventh through 12th grade to take a pledge to stay alive and seek help if they need it.
CPS said staff members, including school counselors, will discuss the “Please Stay” campaign, self-care habits and mental health resources and screen a three-minute “Please Stay” video in classes. The district said it shared campaign materials — including a teacher/counselor’s guide, pledge cards and digital resources — with schools last week as May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
CPS said 38% of its students have reported feeling depressed and 17% have seriously considered suicide, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System.
