CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools high schools have launched programs to stop suicide after each school lost students to suicide on the same day in 2018.
Hough and Providence are the first schools in North Carolina to implement the Sources of Strength initiative. It's a national program designed to promote mental health awareness and social support in school, and in turn, discourage bullying, drug abuse and suicide.
"There are kids that come into Hough every day, it's like a battleground, and they don't feel like they belong," said Hough senior McKenzie Martin.
Students say the program's already making a difference.
"I just feel a lot better this year as opposed to last year," said Chloe Crawford, a junior at Hough. "About how open (students are), it's OK to not be OK sometimes with my friends."
Every year, students will launch several campaigns intended to be supportive, inclusive and affirming to all students.