Prevention at School: Starting a School Program

With the help of a teacher or school staff, you can organize a prevention education campaign that designates a week or a month to raising awareness about youth suicide. We don’t recommend assemblies as a way of talking about this serious subject. It is better to host informational tables at lunchtime or conduct classroom presentations. 

YSPP can help you and your school if you live in Washington State. There are many creative, fun ways to spread the word – you can choose a campaign slogan (i.e., “Be a Lifesaver”), the campaign elements (i.e., key chains, pencils, t-shirts) you want to use to promote awareness, and how you want to distribute them.

For example, a student group may design and wear t-shirts for prevention week. Another group may hang posters in every classroom; another may set up an information booth at every lunch hour. It’s up to you!

Making a Suicide Prevention Video

If you decide to make a video as a way of educating your peers, emphasize the warning signs and intervention steps for recognizing and helping a friend who might be a risk of suicide. Do not glamorize or glorify suicidal behaviors. Studies show that doing so can increase the risk that a vulnerable individual will take their own life. YSPP staff can help you plan a video that educates, and encourages those who need help to get help.

Writing a Paper on Suicide Prevention

If you want to write an article for the school newspaper - or maybe you have a classroom assignment to write about suicide – you can find lots of information at frequently asked questions and statistics.