• Introduction • Get Organized • Get Educated • Get Active • Stay Active

Download this chapter (pdf, 795k)

You have put together a group of concerned citizens who are willing to donate time and resources to help prevent youth suicide in your community. Pat yourselves on the back for getting involved and getting organized!

Before you can start to do something about it, your team needs to build understanding of the issue and of prevention techniques.

Each week, an average of two young people complete death by suicide in Washington state. Each week, another 14 youth make suicide attempts that result in hospitalization. One out of 6 sixth graders acknowledge seriously considering suicide. 32% of 10th graders reported feeling ‘depressed or sad MOST days in the past two weeks’*

While these facts are disturbing, there is hope. Rates for youth suicide have gone down in Washington. Still, there is much more that can be done.

YSPP makes a long-term commitment to changing behaviors and attitudes in individuals, families and communities. We believe that every citizen of the state should understand that while youth suicide is a problem, there is something that can be done about it. By educating ourselves and others, we can make a difference in preventing youth suicide.

The goal of this section is to:

2.1 Understand the issues

To share the research and make it more fun, ‘divide and conquer’ to research several topics and bring the results back to the group.

• Scavenger hunt: topics and resources for research

2.2 Share experiences

Learning from others’ experiences can be a powerful motivation.

• Questions for a Listening Circle

2.3 Get a Snapshot of the Local Picture

Research facts and statistics about your community’s population, deaths, health care resources, risk factors and protective factors.

• Local Data Worksheet: Forms to gather information about your area

2.4 Get Training

• Gatekeeper Training and ASIST workshops

*SOURCE: 2004 Healthy Youth Survey, WA State Department of Health