Barrington suicide prevention group marks first year

Though recent events seemed to conspire against it, the first-anniversary event of a Barrington-area coalition aimed at preventing suicide and promoting mental health was a joyous and upbeat occasion Friday afternoon.

HERE Fest 2010 was organized by the HERE in Barrington coalition and held immediately before the first football game of the season at Barrington High School.

The group, whose name stands for "Help, Encouragement, Resources, Education," was formed in the summer of 2009 after the fourth suicide of a Barrington High School student in two years.

The school - and indeed the entirety of Barrington Unit District 220 - made it through the last school year without another student suicide. The theme of Friday's event was, "We're all HERE together."

But at the very end of the summer vacation, nine days earlier, a 17-year-old senior did take his own life. And on Wednesday, a special services assistant at Barrington Middle School - Prairie Campus also took his own life.

Danielle Florey, a junior at Barrington High School and one of the student organizers of HERE in Barrington, said a lot of discussion took place over the last several days about how big and how upbeat Friday's event should be.

The answer they reached was - even bigger and more upbeat. And based on the strong attendance, high spirits and laughter at HERE Fest, their instincts proved correct.

A student DJ delivered a string of high energy songs while classmates joked around, played games, ate food from local restaurants that co-sponsored the event and got their faces painted.

The most serious moment of the evening came in the form of a four-minute video detailing the history, purpose and future challenge of the coalition that was played at the football game just afterward. The video has also been posted on the Barrington220 channel on YouTube. HERE in Barrington is not itself a District 220 undertaking but receives support from all areas of the community including local counseling services and other businesses.

Bill Seger, owner of the hot dog and hamburger restaurant Kooker's, said there was never any question of his involvement with the effort.

"We've gotten a lot of support from the high school over the years," Seger said. "They're not only customers, they're friends. It's been 21 years that we've been in town now and some people who used to come in as students are now bringing their own kids."

Seger said he has great respect for the new approach the coalition is taking in tackling teen suicide. "Not talking about it hasn't seemed to work," he said. "We have to realize there's solutions to all our problems."

Emma Aumiller, a junior at the high school, said Friday's event was always intended to create a welcoming atmosphere for both new freshman as well as all the students at both district middle schools who were invited.

District 220 Superintendent Tom Leonard said the collaboration between adults and students in HERE in Barrington has been brilliant.

"It's been strong and continues to be strong," Leonard said. "The adults have been very wise in letting the students have a big role in coming up with the ideas."