BL & Brenda George, the founders of S.T.O.P (Stop.Talk.Overcome.Pain), started a campaign that collaborated with more than 35 local agencies in Brazoria County to host youth rallies and school events that focus on suicide prevention, anti-bullying, cyber-bullying awareness and intervention.

S.T.O.P. is now in partnership with a host of school districts across Texas and the collaborations continue to grow exponentially. We have affected thousands of children who were coping with depression and who were at high risk of suicidal behaviors.

With the onset of COVID-19, teen suicide has become an even more serious epidemic with increased suicide rates across the globe. S.T.O.P. has had to be creative on how to effectively reach our at risk youth. We have produced several videos called S.T.O.P. MOMENTS to be distributed to our partner schools that can be incorporated into on campus or online communications. We intend to continue to produce them until the pandemic is under control and our students and educators are back to the normal environment of on campus education.

S.T.O.P. intends to grow this campaign across the United States of America and beyond its borders. Children are highly susceptible to emotional pain and mental illness that can be caused by many external factors that are rampant in today’s society and many internal factors that are easily combated. The impact on our communities has been mostly ignored and our children are crying out to be heard. They need to STOP•TALK•OVERCOME•PAIN.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a tremendous challenge for so many people. Children, in particular, are susceptible to adverse mental stress during times of isolation. They were first unable to visit friends, unable to have close contact with elderly family members, and given instructions to distance themselves from the public. This, of course, is not a normal condition for energetic kids, and the lack of physical, social connection could cause much anxiety.

Now that many schools are opening, the children are back in close contact with their friends and teachers again, but the virus is still in our communities. This too can cause fear and stress, and lead to dangerous mental conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and hopelessness resulting in thoughts of suicide. Parents and friends of those seemingly most affected should not take their fears lightly, as the statistics of suicide in our communities have risen substantially since the onset of the pandemic.

S.T.O.P. MOMENTS have been created to generate a positive mindset in children affected by the challenging nature of COVID-19. They give positive, actionable advice and portray an image of a future that is bright with hope.