Lindsey Stilley, a 16-year-old high school student of New Bern High School, was one of the 14 awardees of the $2,000 grant promoting the prevention of suicide among teenagers in the United States.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the grant opportunity intensifying its campaign in the prevention of youth suicide.
“Every hour and 45 minutes, another young person commits suicide. My research found that suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 24,” said Stilley.
“Mental health issues affect many regardless of culture, economic background, race, age, or religion. Teenagers today feel more stress and pressure to achieve often without the skills to cope,” Stilley added.
Stilley’s video promoting the prevention of youth suicide will provide hints on how to cope up with a mentally depressed teenager slowly embracing suicidal tendencies.
The visual presentation will focus on aspects of hopelessness among teenagers.
“I plan to create an ending that shows that suicide is a long-term solution to a short-term problem and the ones that are left behind agonize, blame themselves, and don’t understand,” Stilley emphasized.
The $2,000 grant will be used to purchase a new Sony digital camcorder.
