Updated
5.25.09
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How to Start the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention
Program® in Your Area
I. Order cards (and other information) from the foundation.
II. Distribute cards and information to youth!
Make cards available by easy access. Make sure youth know the cards are free! Place ribbon cards in baskets/display holders in schools, churches, youth centers, medical offices, libraries, everywhere! This ensures youth can get a free card without embarrassment or needing to ask for them.
Talk to the schools about putting yellow ribbon cards and information in student handbooks and/or orientation handbooks each year. (You may request our presentation outline.)
1) Contact schools, churches and youth centers and groups with introduction flyers and date for meetings and assemblies for presentations.
2) Create a local newsletter - many of our best articles are from youth!
3) Tie yellow ribbons on trees, poles, building entrances and doors. (Many fabric stores and floral shops will contribute ribbon).
4) Put posters in halls and on bulletin boards with information about this program. Include statistics, and suggestions of how and where to get help.
Call - write: Clergy, Doctors, therapists, company human service and personnel directors. Local newspapers, magazines, journals, radio and TV stations. Get in touch with local service organizations (Kiwanas, Sertoma, Rotary, Optimist Clubs for example).
Submit stories and notices in local papers, company fliers and church bulletins. Place notice in newspapers for a 'call for volunteers'. Submit press releases and announcements about your "Suicide Awareness and Prevention" events.
Contact businesses and organizations for help, ideas and donations. Donations for printing of flyers, ribbon, poster board, etc. Ask corporations to sponsor the program for specific youth centers or clubs. Colorado Department of Education - Safe and Drug Free Schools Program has endorsed this program. Funds may be available from the SDFSP program in your school to implement the yellow ribbon program in your school.
Contact local law and fire departments so they will be aware of the program.
Communicate with your friends, ask them to help. Many people want to get involved and help but they do not know what to do or where to start.
Help promote the need of a statewide suicide prevention program for your state. Only two states presently have a comprehensive unified suicide prevention program.
III. Wear a yellow ribbon - so that you will be recognized as someone who cares and will help. Enameled yellow ribbon pins are available for purchase from the foundation.
IV. Internet - Put a Link of Life in your web site and ask others to do the same.
Teens - YOU can help this program! Unite and save lives -- Let your voices be heard!
You can help stop this epidemic - youth worldwide are
involved with this program. They are helping save lives! Teens and youth who have survived
a suicide attempt relate that they really didn't want to die, they just wanted to stop the
pain!! We can help stop the pain!
It takes a village to raise a child... |
Fax
303.426.4496