Please reserve the evening of December 12, 2017 right now. In working with CampFire NJ and our PTA, we have arranged for a professional presentation for parents which will focus on the topic of suicide. Specifically, I have asked the presenter to focus on the following three overarching issues:

1. What should I be looking for?
2. What are the warning signs and at-risk behaviors?
3. How do I cast off the stigma and get help?

We need to, as a community, accept the fact that this is a major problem, speak in real terms, and work on controlling and preventing suicide to the best of our ability. The young people are not simply “passing away suddenly at home,” “entering rest,” or any of the other kind euphemisms that we use. They are committing suicide. They are intentionally causing their own deaths. If you think that this cannot happen in your family, I can give you a list of people who thought the same thing and who learned that they were wrong the hard way.

You need to come to school on the night of Tuesday, December 12 at 7pm in the cafeteria. THIS IS NOT FOR CHILDREN OR TEENS. NO CHILDREN OR TEENS WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE CAFETERIA. I know it is December, it is close to Christmas, and you probably need to find a baby sitter. I say this with lots of love: TOO BAD. You need to be here. Period. You don’t know all there is to know about this topic, and neither do I. So we all need to avail ourselves of this opportunity. If you work with kids or have kids, your tail needs to be in a seat in the cafeteria that night. Go ahead and post this direct and coarse language your principal is typing on Facebook. I can take the heat. Heck, by this point most of you are used to my characteristic bluntness by now anyway. Bottom line: I love your kids and I want you here, YOU need to listen and learn.

In order to help with logistics, I ask that you please RSVP using this form:  https://goo.gl/forms/qJk5Eobl6aSRaQXa2 Please note that anyone is invited, regardless of the school or RE Program which your children attend.

I refuse to sit idly by and do nothing while this emergency occurs and snuffs out blessed life. Can you please give me 90 minutes on December 12?

Thank you,

Dr. Briggs