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About Me

Youth Suicide Prevention Program (YSPP) Real Talk was started by intern Melissa Ferrer who is a senior at the University of Washington. The purpose of this blog is to gain more knowledge about youth suicide prevention as she learns more about this important topic as well. It provides insight and what can be done to avoid going down this dark route. It aims at letting those who can't see the light to look at the brighter things in life and to remind those that there are many opportunities and things to see and do within a lifetime. This blog will help reach YSPP's goal of public awareness of the issue.

Please visit www.yspp.org for more information or if you know someone who shows symptoms or are thinking about suicide.

or Call 1-800-273-TALK (for immediate help)

 

Did you know? Because I didn't...

Each week in Washington State an average of 2 young people complete suicide; another 16 make suicide attempts that result in hospitalization.

My name is Melissa and I’m a communication major (focus on public relations) at the University of Washington Seattle campus.   I saw a post on our department website for a new media internship position.  I clicked and saw it was for the Youth Suicide Prevention Program (YSPP).  I was attracted to the position because I really wanted to use the skills and knowledge I’ve gained through the classes I’ve taken related to social media and see how I could help this organization.  I thought it was going to be simple: start a Twitter, tweak their Facebook, and do a blog and keep each of them updated.  I met with Sue Eastgard, who is the director of YSPP, and learned that it isn’t as simple as I thought.  She was very kind and intrigued about the ideas we could start to help launch YSPP into the social media world. 

Suicide is a very sensitive topic, it’s a taboo topic but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be talked about.  YSPP encourages using these steps to act on this issue:

-Watch for signs => Show you care=> Ask the Question, "Are you thinking about suicide?" =>  Get Help 1-800-273-TALK 

There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration and there’s a great amount I need to learn about the issue.

"The YSPP mission is to reduce the incidence of suicide in our state.  Working toward that goal we build Public Awareness, offer Training, and support Communities in Action."

In my eyes, we have to remind suicidal youth that there are bigger things in life to look forward to.  We have to remind them that although this may be a rough time, things will work out in the end.  We just have to help them stay strong and really try to help them think differently.  Throughout this blog, I will keep readers informed and also list inspiring quotes and questions of the day that may help a young person remember good, happy times.  I'll also list simple things to try out and hope that in the process people may find something new to do.  All of this is to keep in mind that there is a brighter side to anything :)

"Every day is a gift, that's why we call it the present" 

Sincerely,

Melissa

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