SUICIDE PREVENTION GRANT AWARDED TO LOCAL AGENCIES TO COMBAT

 YOUTH SUICIDE IN THE COUNTY

BEL AIR, MD (November 29, 2006)--The Harford County Healthy Department and the Core Service Agency of Harford County were recently awarded a $3,000.00 Injury Prevention Grant by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to be used to prevent youth suicide through the distribution of Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program cards to Harford County youth in grades 5 through 12.

According to Ruth Maiorana, Director of Health Education and Public Information for the Harford County Health Department, “Each year in the United States, 5,000 youth ages 15-24 commit suicide.  In addition, 16.9% of students in grades 9 through 12 have contemplated suicide within the past months.  Harford County is not immune to youth suicide.” 

“The goal of this grant is two fold.  We want to educate youth who are in a crisis situation and/or are contemplating suicide how they can ask for help by presenting a Yellow Ribbon card to a friend, loved one, or teacher.  Secondly, we want to educate the recipient of the card how serious the situation is and what they can do to help,” explained Maiorana.

The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention card is a laminated business-card size card with a yellow ribbon and states on one side:  “This ribbon is a lifeline!  It carries the message that there are those who care and will help!  If you are in need and don’t know how to ask for help, take this card to a counselor, teacher, clergy, doctor, parent or friend and say:  ‘I NEED TO USE MY YELLOW RIBBON.” The other side of the card reads: “BE-A-LINK-SAFE A LIFE!  If you have received this card, it is a cry for help:  Stay with the person—you are their lifeline!; Listen, really listen.  Take them seriously!; Get, or call help immediately!; It’s ok to ask 4 help.” The card also lists toll-free crisis hotlines for the youth contemplating suicide and for the receiver of the card.  The Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline number is 1-800-422-0009.

In 2004, the Talbot County Public School System became the first school district in the state to implement the Yellow Ribbon program.  Since its inception, nine students used their Yellow Ribbon Card to access help. 

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SUICIDE PREVENTION GRANT/PAGE 2

Jennifer Cozad, Child and Adolescent Coordinator for Core Service Agency of Harford County added,“We are hoping to be able to work with the Harford County Public School System, students, parents, health providers, community service agencies, faith based organizations, area merchants, and the business community to get the word out about this program and we’re asking for help from these groups to allow us to distribute the Yellow Ribbon cards.” 

The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Cards Program was developed by the Yellow Ribbon International Suicide Prevention Program, a community-based non-profit organization founded in 1994.  Over 5 million yellow cards have been distributed and more than 2,500 lives have been saved.

For more information on the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, please call the Harford County Health Department at (410) 638-8405.  Any business or organization willing to display the Yellow Ribbon cards should contact the Core Service Agency of Harford County at 410-803-8726.

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