Yellow ribbons abundant at GC&SU
Bright yellow ribbons were seen all over campus this week, around trees, on doors and pinned to students and professionals, all in the name of suicide prevention.
September 19-25 is suicide awareness week and the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program uses this time to inform the masses about how they can help themselves and each other. According to The Yellow Ribbon Web site, http://www.yellowribbon.org, the program was founded in 1994 by the parents of Mike Emme, who committed suicide. The yellow ribbons represent the 1968 Ford Mustang Emme restored and used to transport his friends in the community.
The project wants those suffering from depression or struggling with their feelings to know that asking for help is acceptable, and that it can be found simply by taking the program’s lifeline card to a counselor, teacher, clergy member, doctor, parent or friend and saying, “I need to use my yellow ribbon.” Those who receive the card are instructed to stay with the person and listen to them until they can get help.
The American Association of Suicidology reports that 78 percent of adolescents turn to peers for help before they approach an adult. Some warning signs that someone might be depressed or contemplating suicide are abrupt changes in personality, giving away possessions, use of drugs and/or alcohol, withdrawal from friends and family, change in eating and sleeping patterns, chronic pain and restlessness.
If you or anyone you know is feeling depressed and thinking about ending their life, call the Hope Line Network at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), or you can call the counselors on campus at (478)-445-5331. They are located in Lanier 122.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Sep 17 2004. Filed under Other.
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