Mustangs and Mavericks may have noticed all the positive messages and little yellow ribbon pins around campus this week. They are meant to carry a powerful message: you are not alone, and help is always available.
Yellow Ribbon Week is observed annually in September, during the week that includes World Suicide Prevention Day on September 9th. This year marks a particularly significant milestone, as Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention celebrates 30 years of spreading hope since it began in 1994.
How it All Began
Yellow Ribbon Week began in 1994 in response to the tragic suicide of 17 year old Mike Emme in Denver, Colorado. His friends and family shared their plea: “Please don’t do this, please talk to someone.” They placed their message on bright yellow paper along with phone numbers of who to call to get help. Teens pinned yellow ribbons on 500 slips of those yellow papers for his services and at the end, all were gone. Teens began to mail them everywhere to friends and loved ones. What emerged from that loss was a commitment to ensure no one would suffer in silence – that asking for help would always be an option, and that support would always be available.
The Data
Recent data offers reason for cautious optimism. The 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among teens have declined in recent years, though one in ten teens still thought seriously about suicide in the past year.
Results from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 22% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year and 10% had attempted suicide. These numbers represent real students in our hallways – our friends and classmates who may be silently struggling.
Activities This Week
Consider participating in one of these campus activities to show your support!
Resources Right Here on Campus
Our school community has made mental health support a priority, with several resources available to students who need them:
Wellness Space: Our Wellness Space is available in room 152 and is open throughout the school day. The center is staffed by trained counselors who can provide immediate support and connect you with additional resources.
Text-Based Support: Sometimes it’s easier to text than talk. Students can reach a trained professional 24 hours a day in both English and Spanish by texting 988. Messages are confidential and responded to by trained staff.
Additional Campus Resources:
- Guidance counselors available by appointment or walk-in
- Visit the school nurse
- Tell a teacher, coach, or trusted staff member when you need help
How You Can Make a Difference
Yellow Ribbon Week isn’t just about awareness – it’s about action. Here’s how students can make a difference:
- Be a Safe Person: Let friends know they can talk to you. Sometimes just listening without judgement.
- Learn the Warning Signs: Changes in behavior, withdrawal from activities, giving away possessions, or talking about feeling hopeless are all signs that someone might need help.
- Speak Up: If you’re worried about a friend, don’t keep it to yourself. Talk to a trusted adult, counselor, or use the resources listed above.
- Take Care of Yourself: You can’t pour from an empty cup. Using mental health resources isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s a sign of wisdom.
Breaking the Silence
The most powerful thing about Yellow Ribbon Week is how it normalizes conversations about mental health. Every yellow ribbon you see represents someone saying, “I’m here, I care, and it’s okay to not be okay.”
Mental health struggles don’t discriminate – they can affect anyone. The students sitting next to you in class, the ones laughing in the hallways, the ones who seem to have everything figured out – any of them might be fighting battles you can’t see.
Moving Forward Together
As we observe Yellow Ribbon Week, remember that this awareness doesn’t end when the posters come down. The message continues year-round: help is available, you matter, and our campus is stronger when we support each other.
If you’re struggling, please reach out. If you’re doing well, consider how you can support others. Sometimes the smallest gestures – a smile, a check-in text, or simply being present – can make the biggest difference.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out immediately. Campus resources are available through the Wellness Center or the Counseling Office. National help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
