It's tough to be a teenager and sometimes, even tougher to talk about the many issues kids today face. Over the last couple of months, a group of Boise teens learned tools to help curb suicide, violence and bullying.
Working through their 30-minute lunch period, roughly 25 seventh-graders wrapped up the last of a six-week program with Rocky and Cheryl Detwiler.
"When you can uplift and encourage people, it does something for them," Rocky said. "When you let them know that they're important and that they matter, that's a big thing."
Rocky and Cheryl are the founders of The Samson Life Challenge, and they've been working with students at South Junior High -- teaching them the importance of positive thinking, having dreams and living positive lifestyles.
"The journaling has helped me a lot to put my thoughts down on paper," said Stephanie, a seventh-grader. "It's a lot easier...so instead of freaking out or over-thinking, I write down what I'm thinking."
Statistics show that in 2013, suicide was the second leading cause of death among youths age 10-19 in Idaho -- highlighting the importance of of programs such as this one.
It's that kind of data that drew seventh-grader Jake Hurst and his mom, Brenda, to push to have this program at South; and they hope other schools will jump on board.
"Being a teenager is hard," Brenda said. "It's a real s truggle...and I think, sometimes, people forget how hard it is to be a teen.
Now, at least these teens have some tools to help them navigate the tough teen years.
