• Suicide Awareness Presentations for the Public • Student-run Media Campaigns in Schools • Parent Awareness • Public Awareness

Public Awareness

Let’s talk about Youth Suicide.

People want to know how to protect their children and youth in their communities. There are many issues to explore, including understanding the factors for risk and the protective factors that can help.

We focus public education efforts on a few key points that people can do to help prevent suicide: know the warning signs, show you care, ask the question and get help.

Statewide: We provide brochures, posters, informational packets and presentations to many audiences. We also promote Suicide Prevention Week activities (the first week in May).

Youth: Young people tend to talk to one another about suicidal thoughts before speaking to adults. YSPP provides resources and assistance for student-run prevention awareness campaigns in schools, and a skills-based curriculum for middle and high school-aged students.

Educators: We offer Gatekeeper Training for teachers, and help administrators prepare crisis response plans for both the prevention of suicide and its aftermath.

Parents: Presentations and information on childhood depression, suicide and community crisis resources, as well as tips on how to talk with your child.

Media: To reduce the risk of contagion (copycat suicides), we distribute Guidelines for reporting on suicide.