Youth Suicide Bullying and Prevention is a club that aims toward decreasing the suicides in youths and preventing bullying. “YSBP is a team we put together and first learn about youth suicide and bullying prevention, and then present it to classes to raise awareness” advisor Susan Leavell explained.

The club has about thirty members, and it is the largest the club has ever been. Leavell explained she enjoys the club because “I love the dedication and interest that they show in how to help others.”

This year, YSBP’s main goal is to present a PowerPoint to the freshmen and senior classes. With this they hope to “bring information to the student body and the staff about YSBP,” Leavell explained..

Not only do they raise awareness, but also participate in Black History Month and Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. They hope to become more visible throughout CK by putting up a bulletin board and becoming a regular on the broadcast.

Suicide rates in the United States are high. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, as of 2013 there were 41,149 suicides reported. When asked about suicide in the U.S. Leavell explained, “We will see more [suicides] unless we teach kids at a younger age and also how to communicate with others. We should also show everyone that we are all the same. We have to the freedom to be who we are.”

Leavell hopes that students will walk out of meetings each week and, “Look at others in a different way with care and respect, to be friendly, and to make a difference.”