In conjunction with the national Suicide Awareness Month, the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club, along with the Seward High Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) are sponsoring two Teen Suicide Awareness Tables of information to promote “Teen Suicide Awareness” in the community. The tables featuring information will be located at the Seward Civic Center in the Langworthy Art Gallery at 616 Bradford and at the Seward High School in the Library. The displays will be up through November 15th.
“There is a heavy youth concentration of activity in the Seward Civic Center during September and October because of all the State Quiz Bowl activities and we wanted to capitalize on that audience,” commented community GFWC Suicide Awareness Chair Anna Downing. “Our information is in partnership with the Boys Town Hotline, Four Corners Health of York and Bryan Community Hospital in Lincoln. Special thanks also to Dr. David Miers, formerly of Seward for his advice and help with materials as well.”
“We were also able to obtain some posters to promote Teen Suicide Awareness for the school, have placed materials in the SHS Library and have distributed information to the mailboxes of each teacher at the High School,” said Owen Rodocker, SHS FBLA Co-Chair.
The displays are placed in conjunction with the GFWC annual International Day of Service for 2026 on September 26th, as the local GFWC Seward Woman’s Club volunteers their time, efforts to help lower the teen suicide in Nebraska.
The recent Nebraska Youth Risk Behavior Survey states that suicide is the leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14 and the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24. Nebraska's adolescent suicide rate ranks 38th nationally for intentional self-harm deaths per 100,000 adolescents aged 15 to 19. According to state health data, youth suicide rates have been trending upward over the past decade, with general suicide rates in Nebraska climbing higher than the national average. According to the Nebraska Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 22% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in the prior 12 months and 18% made a specific suicide plan.
“If we can help one child in anyway, then we have experienced a successful campaign,” noted Anna Downing. “No one wants to talk about this issue, as it can be very difficult and yet awareness is the key. We know it is mental health issue, and people need to know the resources available. These Four Corner manuals and website offer that resource option for help.
Four Corners Health in York has created an awareness booklet/manual that is available online and in print form to assist with information on where to seek out help and about the various mental health programs in Seward, York, Polk and Butler Counties. Hard copies of the printed manual were placed at the schools, in the faculty work areas and at the Seward Civic Center or by contacting Four Corner’s Health in York.
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LR Owen Rodocker-SHS Sophomore and Austin Rodocker-SHS Sophomore, represent the SHS FBLA in this community project. All the Suicide Awareness materials are free.