SYRACUSE – Wawasee High School has suffered two suicides and two suicide attempts in the past few months. Tuesday night. WHS Principal Don Harmon laid out before the school board his plans to address the crisis. Just a couple weeks ago, Harmon brought in motivational speaker Jeff Yalden to talk to the students and to spend time with them personally and via his website, Facebook and Twitter. Yalden will be called in again to provide some short videos that can be viewed online or in school. Most important, said Harmon, the students must be given time to do what they need to do even if it’s just talking in groups among themselves. Listed were actions, events, meetings and plans that have occurred or will be coming up soon. Among the list are communication to parents, students and staff, involvement with Bowen Center, counseling by various ministerial staff, corporation mental health staff and WHS counselors. Students will have an opportunity to meet with the principal Friday morning from 7:15 to 7:50 a.m. in the auditorium to talk about their needs. The meeting will include short two- to three-minute videos by Yalden, as well as other motivational videos. The area ministerial association will host a gathering at the high school auditorium Sunday evening at 7 p.m.
