It’s the elephant in our living room but thanks to efforts by the North Kitsap School District, an all too often-avoided problem received some much-needed attention last week.

Mental health issues are quite possibly some of the most pertinent in our society today. Three youth suicides in our small community in the past year or so are testament to the fact that the topic needs more discussion.

Ross Szabo, Director of Youth Outreach for the national mental health awareness campaign, did an excellent job informing local students and teachers about mental health issues but the task of ensuring the topic is not dropped by the wayside in the future is on the shoulders of our community. We must be diligent and have the strength to offer those in need a helping hand to the best of our ability.

There are lives on the line here — young and old lives that have every reason to continue.

The North Kitsap Herald applauds the NKSD for getting the discussion rolling and hopes the dialogue it has created will soon become an uproar over the tragedies and losses that suicides represent. It is too important a subject to dismiss. Recognizing mental illness is only the first step in the process. The second and most important step is helping people realize that there is assistance available and programs that cater to their needs — that there are people who care about them and accept them for who they are.

Yes, the NKSD is working to bridge the communication gap on mental health issues. It is now up to us to make sure this bridge is completed and that travel over the troubled waters it crosses is safe and open to all.