Students at Shawnee Mission East are planning to wear blue Tuesday in support of the students and families of the Rockhurst High School community, following the reported suicide of a student this afternoon. The suicide prevention awareness is being organized by sophomores Elise Baker, Adelaine Marrone and Gwenith Yeomans.

“Just like when the sexual assault happened at our school and other schools wore black to show support, we need to do the same to support Rockhurst to keep the sense of community and togetherness we have,” Baker said. “Wearing blue means you represent something much bigger than the Rockhurst freshman, but you represent preventing suicide as a whole.”

Baker, Marrone and Yeomans distributed their idea into group message of over 200 people, hoping that the news to wear blue would spread.

According the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. In Kansas, 16.21 suicides occur per 100,000 people.

Tomorrow, counseling will be available for students at East.

“Lancers – Counselors will be available tomorrow. Come to counseling anytime. Take care of each other. You are wanted and needed and loved,” @SMEoffice tweeted at 8:58 p.m. on Monday.

To learn more about suicide prevention visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website: https://afsp.org/.

There is also a 24/7 hotline available at: 1-800-273-TALK