Ghosts roamed the halls at Heritage High School on Wednesday. 

Students with the SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter at Heritage went on a “Ghost Out,” painting their faces white, remaining silent and wearing signs describing the story of students who have died by suicide.

SADD chapter advisor Jessica Wammock, who came this year to Heritage as the family and consumer sciences teacher, said she had heard about something similar from another SADD advisor. 

“They had tried it for an Alcohol Awareness week. The students heard of it and we just kind of took it from there.”

“They got a really good response from other students,” said Wammock. “A lot of students were asking them about it... All their signs relate to the way a suicide would have happened. A lot of students also came up and were interested in joining SADD.”

Suicide was the third leading cause of death in 2007 for ages 15-24. 

“Suicide is preventable if you know the warning signs,” said April Fallon, Director of Community and Student Support, in a released statement. 

The Rockdale County Public Schools System’s STARS Community Partnership rolled out two suicide prevention programs — one for adults and one for youth. For middle and high school students, the Signs of Suicide program will teach them to “Acknowledge, Care, Tell” (ACT). Counselors will go into classes and show a 17-minute video and then hold a group discussion. 

For adults, program will have prevention kits available and counselors will be available to give training sessions to community groups, churches, clubs and other organizations on recognizing the signs and to use the “Question, Persuade, Refer” method. 

For more information, call (770) 860-4273 or email afallon@rockdale.k12.ga.us.