Suicide Awareness for Youth Program

The Suicide Awareness for Youth (SAY) program began in 1996. It is a one hour prevention education program appropriate for youth from age 13 - 18 (grades 8 - 12 inclusive). This volunteer delivered, interactive, multi-media program teaches youth how to:

• Understand youth depression and suicide
• Recognize signals of suicide (SOS)
• Get help for themselves or a troubled peer

Some advantages of the SAY program:

1. Delivery of the program does not single out any one individual, but it does allow for small and large group discussion.
2. It fits neatly into most school schedules as it takes 50 -60 minutes to deliver.
3. It meets CAPP criteria.
4. Volunteers use different teaching techniques to appeal to different learning styles.
5. It is also suitable for youth outside of the school system such as:

• faith based groups
• First Nations youth groups
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered youth groups
• out of school youth

6. It is delivered free of charge all year round!

What youth say about SAY:

• "I think this presentation is good for people to realize that they are not alone and that they have someone to talk to."
• "I think this is a very good program. It helps us to understand suicide and what to do if you know someone who is thinking about it."
• "This was a great workshop and I learned more about suicide and what drives them into doing it."
• "It was really good. If I ever did think about suicide, I'd know what to do."