Senior Kristina Babcock is helping her classmates deal with the very real issue of teen suicide.
The culinary arts student, at Plymouth South High School has seen her share of sadness.
Two and a half years ago, her cousin took her own life.
“It was 10 days before she was turning 16 and we were supposed to have a bonfire for her, it broke my heart,” said Kristina Babcock, Plymouth South High School.
After the shock wore off, Kristina turned her anguish into action.
“It impacted not only our family, her schools but this school and my friends,” said Kristina.
Kristina now leads the battle against teen suicide, participates in the annual “Out of the Darkness” walk and offers suicide prevention education at her school.
“If anybody ever needed anything, I’ll help; whether I know you or you’re a stranger or not,” Kristina said.
Kristina’s family hopes by talking about their tragedy, they can help others.
“You never want to have to tell you kids something like that has happened, and I don’t ever want to see a family go through it again,” said Jennie Babcock, Kristina’s mom.
And friends of Kristina say what she is doing, is saving lives.
“It’s a sad subject, but it’s something that needs to be talked about. A lot of kids in this school, I can guarantee are going through times like that, and they need help, they need someone to be there for them like Kristina was,” said Rachel Rieder, Kristina’s friend.
Kristina is looking forward to her future, but says she will always carry her cousin in her heart.
When she goes to college she plans to continue her work with suicide prevention.
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