Suicide Prevention Programs - Assignment Example

Studies show that the number of suicides, both attempted and committed, is high among college-going students (Diekstra & World Health Organization, 2005). Experts and other researchers have come to link this growth to several factors. To reduce suicide and its related cases, many voluntary organizations, in addition to the US government, have come along and established certain programs aimed at reducing and thereafter terminating suicide among this generation (Anderson, 2007). Since the aim of this paper is to know better about the initiatives set in place by these agencies, it will identify some of the prevention programs in my area.

Yellow Ribbon program

One of the programs established by voluntary organizations aimed at preventing suicide cases is the Yellow Ribbon which deals with all ages but centers mostly with young adults. According to its “best practice registry”, Yellow Ribbon serves over 150 teens every month (Anderson, 2007). At the Yellow Ribbon, people get services that include but are not limited to education regarding the necessary measures that a person should take in case a suicide-related incident occurs. Additionally, the organization creates awareness of the dangers of suicide and goes ahead to collaborate with other organizations to create a much bigger network whose purpose and vision are similar (Diekstra & World Health Organization, 2005). It offers other services such as community development, supports survivors of suicide attempts, and school staff who help in training others as suicide prevention gatekeepers. The gaps that may exist between the trainees’ places of residence in the provision of services for teens vary from one factor to another (Joint Commission Resources, Inc. 2007). Under this spectrum, one student’s community may differ from the others in terms of training program centers. This means that some students may be from communities where there are no suicide prevention program centers hence creating a gap.

Air Force Suicide Prevention Program

A 2007 survey pointed out that suicidal cases among US Air Force personnel were on the rise and needed serious address from both the government and other potential organizations (Anderson, 2007). Following this calling, the Air Force created an initiative that facilitated training and created awareness among its personnel. In its bid to make the program work, it resolved to engage in offering services such as reducing the rates of suicide among the agency’s personnel by educating them on the dangers of suicide. The program is also responsible for offering services like inspiring and empowering its personnel through public speaking and presentation (Joint Commission Resources, Inc. 2007).

 At times, it goes ahead to offer counseling services to the family members of its personnel. This is the reason this program serves many teens since it caters to several arenas (Joint Commission Resources, Inc. 2007). The gap that exists between the students’ committees is that which occurs due to the lack of a person from the student’s family who works in the Air Force (Anderson, 2007). Such a gap is inevitable but the government is working on bridging it as time goes by.