v Saving Young Lives OneYellow Ribbon At A Time (NAPS)—Many families may find a ray of hope because of the tragedy of one family and the foundationit created. The Light for Life Foundation International began in September of 1994 after the suicide of 17year-old Mike Emme. In the days following Mike’s death, dozens of teenagers ap- proached Mike’s family asking what they could do. Mike’s parents responded by saying, “Don’t ever do this. Don’t commit suicide. Reach out to someoneandaskfor help.” The teens took notes. “It’s okay to ask for help,” they wrote. As the teens shared their grief and their stories of friendship with Mike, they also discussed the tragedy of teen suicide and ways in which it might be prevented. “It’s okay to ask for help” be- came the common theme and the yellow ribbon card wasborn. The cards feature a yellow ribbon and carry the message that there are people who care and who will listen to you when you need help. The other side of the card states that presenting the card is a cry for help. It features a suicide hotline and instructions on whatto do to help in case a person gives you the card. The Yellow Ribbon Program is more than a card. The multifaceted program is affiliated with respected mental health and suicide prevention experts. It offers youth and adult seminars, workshops and presenta- THIS RIBBONIS A LIFELINE! It carries the message that there are those who care and will help! If you are in need and don't know howto ask for help, take this card to a counselor, teacher, clergy, parent or friend andsay: [I NEED TO USE MYYELLOWRIBBON” TheYellow RibbonProgramis in loving memoryof Michael Emme @ This yellow ribbon has been adopted as the symbolof suicide prevention efforts among teens. tions that teach awareness and strategies to empower youth and adults. Having been featured in A Third Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul, on the Oprah show and in People magazine, the Yellow Ribbon Program reachesout to an international audience and that audience has responded. So far, the program has re- ceived more than 30,000 letters from youth that have considered or attempted suicide. The letters contain similar messages, such as “Tm glad to know that you’re there and help is available,” and “Just having the card makes me feel safer.” To date the program has been implemented by more than 2,000 schools, reaching over 150,000 youths. For more information on the Yellow Ribbon Program, visit www.yellowribbon.org. This information is sponsored by the Auxil- iary to the American Osteopathic Association, www.aux-aoa.org.
