SUICIDE: Resent cold shoulders

Rhetoric crashed into reality this week in the Legislature’s Education Committee while considering Gov. Brad Little’s focus on youth suicide. Rep. Tony Wisniewski of Post Falls referenced taking kids “behind the woodshed” and “character development.” A handful of legislators walked out during testimony.

Until a legislator is touched by the aftermath of student suicide, they have no clue what schools face daily and it shows. Beating kids until morale improves is ignorant. As a former school board trustee, I have experienced tragedies in our school buildings. I’ve attended more vigils and funerals than I ever imagined. The reported flippant remarks are inconsistent with my experience.

Kootenai County has a high rate of suicide. No, it’s not like it used to be because society has changed. Until you have walked through a building that has been affected by student, coach and/or principal suicide, why would you choose to disregard information presented by numerous sources supported by Republican leadership? The 10-second imaginary exercise conducted by Wisniewski evoked nostalgia but without solutions. It was a missed opportunity for Idaho.

I dare any legislator to call a family that has lost a student and explain this stance. I hope they will work toward solutions over party points. Student reality includes school shootings and suicides. Please connect with your school district superintendent. I also strongly encourage legislators to consider the local family they represent hurting today when engaging in partisan dialogue during proceedings. To some, it sounds like blame. I hope that wasn’t intended.

CHRISTA HAZEL

Coeur d’Alene