How Can I "Be a Difference" / Educators, Coaches, Youth Workers

Thank you for your willingness to help in the fight against youth suicide. If we are going to make a difference, it is important for you, as a major influence in the lives of young people, to join the battle.

HOW CAN I HELP FIGHT THE “SILENT EPIDEMIC” OF YOUTH SUICIDE

EDUCATOR – YOUTH WORKER:
1. Educate yourself about the problem of youth suicide and the tools of prevention.

2. Encourage staff development training on the awareness and prevention of youth suicide for all staff members. Learn the signs of concern. [ click here for more information. ]

3. Encourage your administration to incorporate The Jason Foundation school-based curriculum lessons into the regular program. [ click here for more information. ]

4. Check this Website to see if there is a Jason Foundation local office in your area.

5. Sponsor an Annual Suicide Prevention Week in your school or organization.

6. Sponsor a Poster Campaign for your school or local mall on the awareness and prevention of youth suicide.

7. Be aware of changes in your students that cause you concern and Talk to them, Listen to them, and Respond by reporting your concerns to a counselor, administrator or parent.

COACHES
• In January 2003, The Jason Foundation, Inc.and The American Football Coaches Association joined together in an affiliation to confront the silent epidemic of youth suicide. The AFCA represents over 10,000 high school, college and professional coaches in the United States. If you are a member, you are invited to join with numerous other coaches to become a State Ambassador for The Jason Foundation. Click to contact us. [ click here for more information. ]

USA Wrestling is the Olympic sport organization for amateur wrestling in the United States. It is the National Governing Body (NGB) of managing the Olympic Wrestling Team and the grassroots efforts for Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women’s Freestyle Wrestling. It is also responsible as the guiding association for middle school, high school, and college wrestling in the nation as well as “wrestling clubs” that reach all ages. USA Wrestling has over 135,000 athlete members with nearly 3000 clubs. It has almost 16,000 coaches and 2500 officials as members. USA Wrestling has affiliated with The Jason Foundation to work together in the awareness and prevention of youth suicide.

• Note the listing under EDUCATOR at the top of the page for additional ways to help.

In the student survey noted above, when a specific school position was mentioned, a coach was listed first more often than any other position. Therefore, it is important that you educate yourself about youth suicide prevention and the local resources that are available to the youth and their parents.

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