Memorial vigil held for Royal student

Chanet Stevenson/courtesy photo Students gathered for a vigil in remembrance of Royal High School student Silvestre Beltran Wednesday evening. Many attendees were dressed in red in his honor.

by CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Staff Writer | April 19, 2018 3:00 AM

ROYAL CITY — A memorial vigil was held Wednesday night for a Royal High School student who died Monday.

High school principal Rick Follet posted a letter on the school’s website announcing the death of Silvestre Beltran, a RHS senior. “Silver was known and loved by all at Royal High School,” Follet wrote.

“Our sympathy goes out to his family,” Follet wrote. “We are all shocked and saddened by this event.” People posting on the school’s Facebook page asked for prayers for his family.

Royal district officials posted a list that included warning signs of suicide, and some of the things people can do to help kids who may be contemplating suicide.

Grant County Commissioner Cindy Carter, a Royal City resident, said she is planning an informational meeting about suicide and suicide prevention for parents, students and anybody else who to wants to attend. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 25 at RHS (although that date still must be confirmed). The information will be available in English and Spanish.

Grant Integrated Services will be instituting a new program to provide mental health services to Royal City, among others. The agency’s mobile office was dedicated Tuesday, and will visit communities that don't have a GIS office. The goal is to make sure people who need mental health help and support can get it, said Gail Goodwin, GIS director of management services.

The brains of teens are still developing, according to the website Spokane Cares, and teens may not have the skills yet to deal with some of the challenges they face. Teens don’t always see a way out, the website said.

Youth suicide is a growing problem in Washington – it’s the second leading cause of death for people in the state between 10 and 24 years of age, according to the Washington Department of Health website. Grant County had 12 confirmed suicides in 2017, Carter said.

In light of that, people should take it seriously when a teen talks about suicide, the DOH website said, and they shouldn’t avoid talking with teens about it. “Don’t hesitate to raise the subject. Talking with young people about suicide won’t put the idea in their heads,” the DOH website said.

“Get help immediately. Seek out a school counselor or psychologist, family physician, suicide prevention or a crisis line, or a friend to help.”

Signs of depression are a warning sign for suicide, along with an expressed wish to die or a preoccupation with death. People who start giving away possessions or telling friends and family goodbye may also be at risk for suicide. Teens who are isolating themselves or are isolated also are at greater risk for suicide, the DOH website said.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.