 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 1 Yellow Ribbon…more than the Ask4Help! ® Cards

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 2 Mission Statement Yellow Ribbon is dedicated to preventing youth suicide and attempts by making suicide prevention accessible to everyone and removing barriers to help by. -- empowering communities and individuals through leadership, awareness and education. -- collaborating and partnering with support networks to save lives.

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 3 Yellow Ribbon is a volunteer-driven 501c3 non profit built around the philosophy of “it takes a village…” …the true meaning of team work. One of few SP organizations that teach/work both in community development (building community capacity) and suicide prevention trainings.

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 4 Why must we build community capacity as well as train in suicide prevention? Since 1999, there has been a significant shift in awareness to be proactive in suicide prevention. Natural disasters like Katrina, and Man-made disasters like 9/11 have proven that community readiness is imperative. Encourage Community to get involved

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 5 Encourage Community to get involved Individuals in many roles at all levels of community and society can make a unique and productive contribution to the prevention of suicidal behaviors! W.H.O. (1996) – C.D.C. (1998)

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 6  Began in 1994 in response to heartfelt pleas by teens and adults after the death of a friend & loved one.  The ASK 4 HELP!  Cards were created and the teens mailed them to friends and family  The program is a bright yellow bridge, spanning the gap between need & help… The ripple effect is felt around the world Yellow Ribbon

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 7 Yellow Ribbon Yellow Ribbon is more than the founders and the Colorado office. It is a world-wide network of volunteer chapters/program sites* working together with professional partners. Yellow Ribbon itself is a symbol for prevention, and the heart in the center is for survivors * Over 75% of which are survivors of suicide loss and attempt survivors.

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 8 Yellow Ribbon Does Prevention  Postvention  Advocacy Education  Awareness  Collaboration Each of these activities/programs/projects actually include all of them.

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 9 Yellow Ribbon Does  Support for Survivors  Community Development Technical Assistance for building community preparedness/readiness  Education Suicide Prevention Training to School Staff, Parent and Community Workshops, Youth (MS – HS), Children (K-12 & Staff), First Responder, Faith based  Speakers Bureau  State/Local Plan Consulting--Coalition Building

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 10 Best tell how it works by sharing an example of steps we take: Over 95% of our work is done in response to requests. Over 60% are requests from communities in a Postvention time. Yellow Ribbon Does

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 11 Community Readiness Enhance skills & knowledge of gatekeepers/helpers Enhance Public Awareness Enhance Community Based Safety Nets Integrate into existing community efforts Goals of Community Readiness

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 12 Seven-steps Seven-steps implemented in three phases Yellow Ribbon Model PHASE II Be Active! Suicide Prevention Trainings PHASE III Stay Active! Sustaining the Program PHASE I Get Active! Planning And Organizing

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 13 Phase 1: Get Active – Planning & Organizing  Establish Task Force/Committee/Group. Often started over the kitchen/restaurant/office table with a cup of coffee  Identify Community Resources: Funding, Professionals for Support Teams, Partners for Community Support (Churches, Councils, Svc. Orgs., Businesses, Media, Youth Groups, Military (Retired/Active), Retired Professionals and Volunteers of all ages.  Identify TF/Committee leader(s) – Often survivors  Schedule Trainings and Awareness Events/Activ ities Roll up your sleeves…

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 14 Dig In!… Phase 2: Be Active! Implement Trainings & Awareness Events  SP trainings to Task Force/Committee, School Staff/Administration, Faith leaders and other Leaders in Community, Parents, Community Groups.  SP trainings to Youth, (Ask4Help!  ) Middle & High Schools, alternative schools, churches, youth facilities, youth centers. and all other settings that involve youth…  Special SP trainings to First Responders and Faith-based alliances and parents. *Always invite/include survivors in these activities. ** Train Adults First, Youth Second.

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 15 Keep Going!… Phase 3: Stay Active! Sustain your program  Annual SP trainings to both Adult and Youth  Keep SP materials available in the community at easy-to- access locations. (Ask4Help Cards, local/community resource brochures and flyers)  Support local YR Chapter/Group (Senior HS students help mentor MS students, etc. (always with proper adult/trained support/supervision)  Observe annual SP Week (2 nd Week of September),

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 16 Ask 4 Help!  Cards LifeskillsResources Survivors/Youth Fidelity of Program Core components Survivors and Youth are the cornerstone of sustaining programs, they have passion and the will to make a difference

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program Questions?

 2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program ® PO Box 644, Westminster, CO (Office: Orchard Court School, Adams County SD50) Fax ~ Facebook and