Yellow Ribbon Program to begin at CAPS Tuesday

CADILLAC — Students and parents at two Cadillac Area Public Schools are going to learn a valuable and possibly life-saving lesson.

In essence, the Yellow Ribbon Program helps to teach people how to ask for help.

On Tuesday, students at Mackinaw Trail Middle School and Cadillac Junior High School and their parents are going to learn that lesson when they listen to Barb Smith. Smith is a member of the Saginaw Survivors of Suicide Group. Her brother died by suicide which was a catalyst for her to help other people in dealing with suicide.

The program is sponsored by the Cadillac Jaycees, Baker College of Cadillac and the Cadillac Lions Club in response to the teen suicides the Cadillac area witnessed during 2005 and 2006, according to Ami McBride, Cadillac Jaycees member.

“It is a community project that we have a passion about and it is an opportunity to educate students, teachers and parents,” she said. “Basically, it is enforcing it is OK to ask for help. That will be the main message.”

Parents of students at the school received information regarding the program as well as an invitation. After the two schools see the hour-long presentation, McBride said results from surveys given by the presenters and responses counselors and other school staff will determine the next step.

“We will find out if we want to do this annually or for different grades potentially,” McBride said.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a community-based, tax-exempt not-for-profit program founded in 1994. It was started by the parents of a teen who ended his life when he did not know the words to say or how to let someone know he was in trouble and needed help.

The Saginaw Survivors of Suicide Group adopted the Yellow Ribbon Program to help educate students and adults about suicide prevention. The primary mission of this program is to promote the message that “It is OK to ASK4Help!” whether it is due to depression, abuse, drugs/alcohol or other issues.

Parents of students at the two schools are invited to attend. The presentation at the middle school is at 8:30 a.m. followed by a 10:30 a.m. presentation at the junior high. To learn about the Yellow Ribbon Program go to www.yellowribbon.org.

rcharmoli@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)

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