Partnership fosters conversations about suicide

CASPER (WNE) —- The Natrona County School District has accepted a $100,000 grant from the Natrona Collective Health Trust that will allow it to partner with the Jae Foundation to address student mental health. 

Jae Foundation members provide cowboy boots to high school seniors, along with stories about suicide and discussions about the importance of being aware of family and friends’ mental health. The goal is for the boots to become a reminder to the wearers to check in on others. 

The Jae Foundation has given boots to more than 2,000 seniors. Soon, Natrona County seniors will join that number. 

The foundation also does teen outreach, gives out scholarships and hosts retreats and support groups. 

Kelly Walsh senior Daxton Thomas addressed the district’s board Monday about his experience with the foundation which began with a retreat in Pinedale. 

“I’ve gotten a lot of suicide talks in my life going through high school, but nothing has stuck like this has,” Daxton said. 

His brother, Braxton, brought the issue back home to the board. After stating that 10% of high school students have attempted suicide, a statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Braxton said, “10% as a high schooler in Kelly Walsh means that 200 kids within that small [school] have attempted suicide, which is alarming. It’s scary.” 

This story was published on September 25, 2024.