A group of parents gathered outside Massillon’s Washington High School before and after school on Monday to support students after several teen suicides in Stark County in recent months.
Parents made and carried colorful signs to let students know they care about them, and will listen if they want to talk about anything bothering them.
Some of the signs read “Believe in yourself” and “Strong people lift others up."
The parents felt they had to do something after several teenagers committed suicides at nearby school districts in Stark County.
Students appreciated their parents' act of kindness.
“I am proud of my mom for organizing this. It shows that somebody out there is thinking about them, and suicide is not the answer for everything, and we have somebody out there who cares about them," said student Genevieve Smith.
“We would like to reach as many kids in the community, and our surrounding communities especially.
We would like to show our kids that we are here no matter what. Everybody needs a kind word once in awhile,” said parent Michelle Churchill.
The parents plan to be at a different school everyday this week with their signs of encouragement and support.
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