Marketing Material

Are You the Face of Suicide?

FACTS: Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for college students, the 3rd leading cause of death for black males ages 15-24 and the 4th leading cause of death for black males ages 10-14. Every one hundred and eighteen minutes a youth is a victim of suicide.

Think Again!

Feeling Angry, Hurt, Worthless, Lost, Lonely, Desperate?

When it seems like there’s no hope, there is help.

If you or someone you know is thinking or talking about suicide, call

( ) - School Counseling Center) or

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

With help comes hope. With Knowledge comes change.

For More Information, please visit:

www.Kelvin-Mikhail.info

Campaign Marketing Material and Website designed by www.creative-inner-g.com

NATIONAL STATISTIC: EVERY 118 MINUTES A YOUTH IS A VICTIM OF SUICIDE

(profile photos of different ethnicities)

Know the facts and warning signs visit: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or www.kelvin-mikhail.info

Lapel Pin with “What Every Person should Know” about teen suicide card.

Flyer and Poster Sample

Brochure Samples

Billboard Sample

KMSAC “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER” DISPELLING SOME OF THE MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE - “KNOW THE FACTS”

1) Myth: “Suicide only occurs once in A BLUE MOON.”

FACTS:

A) Suicide is a national public health epidemic (especially for youth ages 10-24) and a public announcement was made in 1999 by the 16th surgeon general Dr. Satcher with a “Call to Action” to educate the nation: Annually 30,000 people die from it and it is the 11th leading cause of death in the US. However for youth the statistics are more than alarming:

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for college students and white males ages 15-24

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for black males and all youth ages 15-24 combined

Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for black males ages 10-14

B) Every one hundred and eighteen minutes a youth ages 10-24 dies from suicide.

C) For more than twenty years youth ages 10-24 suicide has been at an epidemic rate, According to 2005 CDC statistics More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, Aids, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease combined.

D) Some youth deaths that are recorded as homicide and unintentional deaths are actually suicides.

2) Myth: "Depression and Suicide is mostly a white, middle class problem."

FACTS:

A) Depression is an “equal opportunity illness” that can affect anyone, regardless of race, age or socioeconomic level.

B) Depression and suicide rates among young African-American males and Hispanic teenage girls in particular have dramatically increased in the past 20 years. Teenage suicide is a killer that is robbing the black community of some of its most gifted youth.

C) Although females are eight times more likely to attempt suicide Males ages 10-24 are eight times more likely to complete suicide due to how they develop mentally and their method of suicide.

3) Myth: “People who attempt suicide are weak”.

FACT: Many people who are very "strong and successful” die by suicide.

4) Myth: "Only CLINICALLY depressed YOUTH attempt suicide."

FACTS:

A) Youth do not have to be clinically depressed to have suicidal feelings or to attempt suicide. Even feeling extremely “bummed out” for a relatively short period of time can lead to impulsive suicide attempts. Nevertheless, a person who is clinically depressed for longer periods of time is at higher risk for attempting suicide.

B) Youth Suicide is just a Thought Away.

5) Myth: "Discussing suicide may cause someone to consider it or make things worse."

facts:

A) Asking someone if they’re suicidal will never give them an idea that they haven’t thought about already. Most suicidal people are truthful and relieved when questioned about their feelings and intentions. Doing so can be the first step in helping them to choose to live.

B) Suicide is preventable and an issue of safety for you and should be discussed on an on-going basis like other safety issues are discussed i.e., (drunk driving, rape, HIV, drugs and alcohol). Know the signs, even if they are subtle.

6) Myth: “the majority of society is aware of youth suicide and the warning signs”

FACTS:

A) Youth Suicide is a “Silent Killer” because most people do not know the warning signs or the signs are so subtle.

B) Youth Suicide is a silent killer because it is not talked about or publicized (like homicide/unintentional deaths) Bullying is not the only cause of suicide, yet it is the only cause publicized. The less that we share the causes, the less knowledge that we have, the less warning signs. Example, when HIV/AIDS first appeared it was a disease of homosexuals or drug users, the more reported deaths, the more we learned that everyone is susceptible to it.

C) Suicide is one of the most tragic deaths it leaves many unanswered questions and survivors are so devastated by it mentally a lot of families do not heal from it, so they can’t talk about it

D) Because of the stigmatism and ignorance most people feel exempt from it.

Dispel the myths, Know the facts, Communicate it with your peers, your family, your friends, and your communities. Let’s play a part in keeping you and your peers safe and alive.

There is information and knowledge on how to prevent suicide and feeling comfortable discussing suicide www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Data collected from the following sources: Centers for Disease Control (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control) www.NOPCAS.org, www.suicide.org, www.afsp.org, www.suicidepreventiolifeline.org