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Yellow Ribbon…more than the Ask4Help!®

Cards

Yellow Ribbon…more than the Ask4Help!®

Cards

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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.

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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.

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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

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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)

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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

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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.

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Yellow Ribbon Does

Prevention Postvention Advocacy

Education Awareness Collaboration

Each of these activities/programs/projects actually include all of them.

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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

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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

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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

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Seven-stepsSeven-steps implemented in three phases Seven-stepsSeven-steps implemented in three phases

Yellow Ribbon Model

PHASE II

Be Active!

SuicidePreventionTrainings

PHASE III

Stay Active!

Sustainingthe

Program

PHASE I

Get Active!

PlanningAnd

Organizing

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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/Activities

Roll up your sleeves…

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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.

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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 (2nd Week of September),

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Ask 4 Help! Cards

Lifeskills Resources

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

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Questions?

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Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program®

PO Box 644, Westminster, CO 80036

(Office: Orchard Court School, Adams County SD50)

303.429.3530 Fax 303-426-4496

www.yellowribbon.org ~ ask4help@yellowribbon.org

Facebook and Twitter @yellowribbon1