Parent criticizes district messaging on youth suicide, urges board to adopt child-facing outreach

Doug Morrow, a parent and U.S. veteran, used the board's public-comment period to press Haywood County Schools for stronger, child‑facing suicide‑prevention outreach and improved notification when students show warning signs.

Morrow told the board he had not been informed earlier about his daughter's struggles and said the stickers and materials he saw in district buildings appear aimed at adults rather than young people. “Those stickers are not for kids. Those stickers are for adults,” he said, arguing that different language and outreach channels are needed to reach students.

Morrow also cited what he described as a statewide rise in youth suicide: “State of North Carolina in the last few years, student or child, suicide is up 30 percent. Were y'all aware of that?” He said rates are higher in rural counties and urged the board to act quickly, offering to pay for paint for a visible anti‑suicide message and urging use of trusted adults—teachers and coaches—as points of contact for students who will not use adult hotlines.

The board did not take immediate action on Morrow's request during the meeting. Chairman Francis acknowledged the length of the public comment and later said it was important the board heard the concerns; the record shows no formal referral or vote on Morrow's specific proposals during the session.

Why it matters: Parents and community members use the public‑comment period to press school leaders on student safety. District decisions about signage, notification practices and who conducts outreach affect whether students in crisis recognize resources and whether families receive timely information.

What the district said at the meeting: Staff set ground rules for public comment (three‑minute limit and a request not to name students or personnel) and otherwise highlighted ongoing programs—including partnerships that place students in health‑care internships—but did not offer a formal response to the specific policy requests raised by Morrow.

Next steps: Morrow asked the board to act “now” and said he would not necessarily return unless the district provided photos or evidence of the changes he requested. The record shows the board heard his remarks but did not enact an immediate policy change or direct staff to implement the paint/message plan during this meeting.