- Nearly 9,100 students were taught how to recognize when a friend is in “trouble” and how to offer help, using our HELP or Look Listen Link curricula. A majority of teachers reported feeling comfortable, capable and competent in their delivery of the lessons.
- Riding the Waves was successfully beta-tested with 5th graders at Opstad Elementary School in the Snoqualmie Valley School District. We are indebted to the school counselor, Steve Bates, who taught the lessons and provided incredibly important feedback.
- 36 schools engaged in youth suicide prevention activities; 26 completed end of year reports. From those reports we learned that:
- 404 middle and high school students were involved on suicide prevention teams;
- Teams conducted 388 classroom presentations; and
- The 26 schools that designed and implemented suicide prevention campaigns (and turned in their year-end reports) impacted 11,021 students. Students are more aware of the warning signs, more knowledgeable of the intervention strategies, and more likely to seek adult help for a friend who may be at risk.
- YSPP Staff and Field Coordinators facilitated five community coalitions with a total number of 55 participants. The following outputs/changes were noted in membership surveys:
- More agencies are incorporating suicide prevention education into their work;
- There is more discussion and outreach when a suicide or attempt occurs;
- People are more aware that prevention activities are taking place;
- The YSPP field coordinator is more likely to be seen as “the” resource for suicide prevention in their community
- There is greater receptivity among agencies and schools to host educational trainings;
- The faith community is starting to realize the importance of breaking down the stigma attached to mental illness and suicide;
- There is a heightened awareness that the “journey” for LGBT youth is difficult and that this puts them at higher risk of suicide; and
- Resource cards –with hotline numbers and websites - have been distributed widely throughout the community
- There were over 2 million hits to the YSPP website in the 12 month period – July 2010 – June 2011.
- Below is a summary of the prevention education activities that were directly delivered by YSPP staff and field coordinators across the state - July 2010 – June 2011.
Type of Education
# Delivered
# of Participants
Parent Education
29
927
Teacher Education
31
1,234
Student Education
93
1,922
Peer-to-peer Training
30
556
Community Education
60
1,320
LGBTQ - Adult
10
214
LGBTQ - Youth
13
233
Health Fairs
11
890
Professional Education – other than ASIST & SafeTALK
20
1,123
ASIST
12
243
SafeTALK
15
216
TOTAL
324
8,878
- We know of at least two individuals who were thwarted by the Aurora Bridge barrier. A 19 year old college student and a 53 year old veteran each – on their own – took the bus to the bridge with the intention of ending their lives. When they arrived at the bridge the barrier prevented them from jumping and they ended up seeking and receiving mental health services. Both are alive today! It is satisfying to know that the advocacy of many made a difference in the lives of two.
