Activists offer help, hope: But programs struggle to find funding and support

Hudnall, the Provo School District student services director, organized the Hope Task Force seven years ago because he could no longer bear to see rescue teams pluck stranded youngsters from a mountain, while suicidal teens' cries for help went unheeded.

"We decided to build this statewide program, and we're doing it with nickels and pennies," he said. "It's just a group of people that got together and said, 'How can we help each other?' "

Gray wonders what might happen if those volunteers burn out or get sick. "How many years can you ask someone to use their vacation days to keep a project going?" he said.

"Why not look at government agencies to get them some level of funding to keep them going?"

So far, the Hope Task Force has been one of the most active prevention and awareness groups in Utah. It also has the only "post-vention" team in the state, which helps communities and schools deal with the aftermath of a suicide. It has made presentations throughout Utah and has received calls from Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado and the Dakotas.

The Provo School District goes so far as to compile annual statistics for suicide attempts, hospitalizations and completions. It's the only district in the state that does so.

"We want to monitor concerns (to see) whether the problem is getting larger," Hudnall said. "We want to track exactly what's going on."

Provo schools also take an active role in suicide awareness.

Timpview High School empowers students to help classmates who have contemplated taking their lives.

At the first of the school year, social worker Wendi Christensen and guidance counselor Monte Marshall survey students to see who among their peers they would turn to for advice. The top 25 or 30 names are invited to join the Hope Squad.

"We're just kind of there for the students," said senior Emily Gillespie, a three-year member and president of the squad.

Team members are trained to talk to classmates who struggle emotionally. They also refer them to Christensen or a guidance counselor. They are not afraid to ask students if they have thought about suicide.

"It's usually a relief for them," Christensen said.

Timpview administrators figure the program has headed off at least two or three suicide attempts.

"It helps them to know there are people out there that can assist them. Sometimes they forget that," Christensen said. "(Suicide) is something we can prevent. We just have to let them know there are other options when they want to escape, want a way out."