Barrington 'Stomp the Stigma' all about reducing teen suicide

The Barrington area's months-long effort to address teen suicide and the factors that can lead to it will mark a major milestone Saturday, Sept. 26, with the youth-led Stomp the Stigma event.

The H.E.R.E. in Barrington coalition is sponsoring the student-initiated walk and community event, which runs from 4:15 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

The walk begins at 4:15 p.m. near Wool Street Grill and the commuter parking lot off Main Street. Students adults and families in the community can participate to express unified support for suicide prevention and other mental health efforts.

The walk will lead to Barrington Community Stadium, where, from 5 to 9 p.m., local bands and performers, along with a headliner act and keynote speakers, will promote local social-emotional resources in an effort to erase the stigma of seeking help.

These events are free and open to the public for Barrington-area residents of all ages.

Stomp the Stigma T-shirts for $10 are also available for purchase at Barrington High School and both Barrington middle schools later this week and at the Friday night home football game at Barrington Community Stadium. Proceeds benefits programs and initiatives sponsored by H.E.R.E. in Barrington. The name stands for Help, Encouragement, Resources and Education and aims to promote positive mental health.

Other activities going on this week related to this initiative include the Rachel's Challenge program being presented to Barrington Unit District 220 students in grades 6 to 12. The program was developed in response to the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado.

A free session for parents and other adults in the community will be offered at 7 p.m. today in the Barrington High Auditorium. It will include an opening presentation followed by four breakout sessions covering youth suicide and depression, bullying and harassment, substance abuse, and stress management. Participants may choose two of the four breakout sessions to attend.

The program from Littleton, Colo., aims to promote positive youth behaviors learned from the 1999 Columbine tragedy. Rachel Scott, the namesake of the program, was the first victim in the Columbine rampage. Her story is the basis for the program, which has been presented in schools around the region and country.

For further details on her and the program, go to rachelschallenge.org.

For more information on Stomp the Stigma and other events planned throughout the year as part of the H.E.R.E. in Barrington initiative, go to hereinbarrington.org.