Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program® is dedicated to preventing suicide and attempts by making suicide prevention accessible to everyone and removing barriers to help by:

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• Empowering individuals and communities through leadership, awareness and education

• By collaborating and partnering with support networks to reduce stigma and help save lives.

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The grant allowed each school district in the grant to be trained in the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program.  Philisha Stallbaumer, Amanda Parthemer and Tina Stillwell attended a training in Colorado in February of 2016.  This training allowed them to obtain the knowledge and tools needed to present the material upon their return to the faculty and staff at each school.  

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The founders of The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, Dale and Dar Emme, came to Kansas from Colorado to present to each of our sites.  They went to Centralia and Frankfort on September 6, 2016 and Valley Heights on September 7, 2016.  The 7th - 112th grade students listened as Dale and Dar told about their own personal tragedy of losing their son who was only 17 years old.  

 

As they shared their story with the students, it showed how the program just unfolded in front of them by the actions of their sons friends and classmates.  Those friends and classmates, knew they had to do something to help....to help others before it was too late.  It was then that the "Ask for Help" card began.  This tool can be given to someone in need of help, or it can be used personal if you're in need of help.  

 

The program stresses that life's events, whatever they may be, can affect each one of us differently and just because you see one thing happening in someones life doesn't mean there aren't several other things stacking up on top of them.  Don't dismiss their feelings or something that seems off...it may very well be a sign to take action.  We wanted those who are around our students many hours of the day to be trained for the warning signs and to know what to do if they suspect something or if a student comes to them.  Having these tools can help save a life. The presentation by Dale and Dar helped bring the message home to the students that they need to be there for their friends if they need help, speak up if they see or hear something that is concerning, and know that is is OK to ask for help if they need it themselves.  

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The State of Kansas has recently passed a billed that each school district is to provide 1 hour of suicide training to their faculty/staff each year.  It is a subject not many like to talk about but it is an important topic that needs attention.  

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