Photos of Creating Awareness | Suicide Prevention

"What you do makes a difference. You have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." (Jane Goodall)

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

Memorials:

The benchmark here is to create a memorial that is life-affirming and encourages coping skills and resilience, especially in the face of difficult life events. Samples of these types of activities include:

Making donations to a local crisis center or other charitable organization
Collecting money to help family with funeral expenses
Participating in an event that raises awareness about suicide prevention
Buying books for the school library or hosting school programs that highlight resilience
Service projects providing opportunities to help others
Writing notes to the family to give the ‘gift of memories’
Collaborating with community agencies and groups that promote good mental health, such as the local chapter of the Mental Health Association

Guidelines for School Memorials

Responsibly Messaging

Responsibly Spread Awareness

Public Messaging Guidelines:

Use Factual Information
Provide Resources
Use a Positive Narrative

Strategic Communication Planning

National Recommendations

Convey that suicide is complex
Show that help is available
Portray characters with suicide thoughts that do not die
Every day people in your life can be a resource for help
Use non judgemental language
Avoid describing ways to die by suicide
Show the grieving & healing process of those left behind

Kindness Tree for Community

Click here to print "Kindness Tree" materials

Get Creative

Positive Message Board

Framed Canvas spray painted with positive message people can leave an anonymously positive message.

Incorporate Pets

Incorporate pets to be dressed up, painted, walked, costumes or events. Animals can be companions that comfort people and help keep individuals engaged in the cause.

Tri-Fold Displays

Click and print the information needed to create for your school, business or store front. Make a quality display and re-use it yearly. Partner with another business to create a different display and alternate your displays.

Click here for Printables (Scroll to "Printable Displays")

Positive Message Candy Bars

Wrap regular candy in decorative paper and add stickers or write positive messages. These can be left for random people to find or handed to someone. They can also be donated to Police Dept. (will melt in the summer) for Domestic Violence calls involving youth or EMT & Fire Dept for people in crisis.

Book Marks

Create book marks with positive messages or resource numbers and hide in books at the library or leave on check out desk. Can also be donated to local bookstores.

Prevention T-Shirts Worn on Fridays in May & September

Suicide Prevention T-shirt worn in May & September will break down stigmas, spread resources and promote awareness. Click Here to order shirts.

Simple Activities

Have simple actives people can do in the moment to take care of themselves. For example: Chewing Gum & Adult Color pages are stress reliever, Journaling is a coping technique, Positive Message post-its build self-esteem. Click here for printables

Holiday Themes

You can incorporate holidays into spreading awareness, non judgemental language and positive messages. This also gives an opportunity for community members of all ages to get involved.

Awareness Sports Nights at Schools

Suicide Prevention T-shirt worn to break down stigmas, spread resources and promote awareness. Have factual information and resources to be read during half time or before the event. Additionally, you can pass the hat for funds, throw out free T-shirt or other items along with a booth at the front door where people enter. It can be manned with someone to answer questions or just have items for people to pick up. Click here to order shirts.

Booths or Window Displays

This can be done at a table inside a buisness, library or school. Also if you don't have the space for a table but can put information in a window that the community has access to. Have simple actives people can do in the moment to take care of themselves.

Items to Take Home

Have fun items for people to take home; stickers, temporary tattoos, pens, journals, bracelets etc. This will start important conversations and provide important phone number that may be needed.

Kindness Project

Start a Kindness Project in your community. Kindness has a positive effect on the person giving and receiving both! via a group focused on Teens, Coffee Clutch, Non Profit, Spiritual Gatherings or at your business or library.

1. CLICK HERE for Ideas

2. Plans with educational videos included.