COMMUNITY

Students form mental health non-profit

Live To Tell President Eric Marz speaks at Salem Keizer School Board Meeting about the importance of student advocacy in suicide prevention work.

On Monday, Oct. 7, South Salem High School held a student-led presentation for the public launch of Live To Tell.

The event had many speakers from the community who shared their hopes and plans for the future of the organization and their past experience with mental health issues and lack of support.

Live To Tell is a non-profit suicide prevention organization led by Eric Martz, a senior at South Salem High School. The organization works to fund and organize student-led clubs in Salem-Keizer high schools that spread awareness for suicide prevention and mental health. 

Live To Tell provides clubs structure, funding, and ideas for how to get involved in their school community to destigmatize the topic and change the school culture surrounding mental health. In addition, Live To Tell will work to advocate for students’ interests at the administrative and legislative level as school policies are being written and bills are being passed to address mental health concerns in the school district and in the state.

If you are interested in helping the organization and making a donation, visit the website at livetotellnonprofit.org or the group’s Instagram (@livetotellnonprofit) and its Facebook page (Live To Tell).