It took 3 years to get “The Suicide Prevention Education Bill” passed and for Gov. Crist to sign it into law on June 4, 2010. A year later, the state legislators and Gov. Scott gutted it.

The state legislators took away the opportunity for teachers to receive continuing education credits for a course on suicide prevention that was available on line at no cost to the state or the teachers. Rick Scott could have vetoed that paragraph and chose not to.

Gov. Rick Scott also took the Office of Suicide Prevention out of the governors office and moved it into the Department of Family Services with a person that is allotted in their pay to work 8 hours a week on suicide prevention for the state of Florida where suicide is still the 9th cause of death.

Our new Director of the Office of Suicide Prevention noticed the significant drop in the people attending the Day at the Capital. She has already secured a date for Suicide Prevention Day at the capital for 2013 and we will not be tagging with Behavioral Health Day. It will return to the annual day at the capital for us.

One of the goals for the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition this year is to increase the number of hours that the Director works for us. We know she put in more than the 8 hours to help plan the event for this year. She is now working with us to get the education bill re-enacted.

Your donation to the Suncoast Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program is always welcome!

In the News

11/18/09 The Neurobiology of Suicide
10/05/08 Bailout Provides More Mental Health Coverage
09/28/08 Relatives of suicide victims gather for annual walk
09/10/08 Group helps promote suicide prevention

Suncoast Yellow Ribbon

STOP
If you are thinking about suicide
Click Here NOW!

National crisis line: 1-800-SUICIDE
(1-800-784-2433)
Or
National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-442-HOPE (4673)
The National Youth Crisis Hotline provides counseling and referrals to local drug treatment centers, shelters, and counseling services. Responds to youth dealing with pregnancy, molestation, suicide, and child abuse. Operates 24 hours, seven days a week.

Signs of someone thinking about suicide

• Abrupt changes in personality

• Giving away possessions

• Previous suicide attempt

• Use of drugs and/or alcohol

• Change in eating habits

• Change in sleeping pattern

• Unwillingness to communicate

• Depression

• Unusual sadness, discouragement

• Talk of wanting to die

• Running away from home or truancy from school

• Chronic pain

• Rebelliousness, reckless behavior

• Neglect of academic work

• Neglect of personal appearance

• Family disruptions such as divorce, losing loved one

Timothy McClelland
7/9/84-1/21/02
Nicholas Yaros
12/25/86-6/11/02
Brandon Pingleton
9/21/87-8/10/03
Matthew Jehs
3/15/88-1/1/05
and to all those we love and lost to suicide.

"learn from this and help each other" ^®
PS in Tim McClelland's suicide note

Florida's Statewide Office of
Suicide Prevention
"Help promote hope."

Suncoast Yellow Ribbon

Bonnie McClelland, Founder
Suncoast Yellow Ribbon
8567-108th St N
Seminole, FL 33772
727-394-8222

Teen Suicide in Florida

The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control reveal that, in the United States, 1,718 youths, ages 13 to 19, ended their lives by suicide in 2006. Florida reported 72 of those suicides. This was 27% fewer deaths than than Florida's 17-year high of 99 suicides in 2005. Nation-wide, suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens (accidents were the leading cause followed by homicides); Florida is no exception. - SYR 05/14/10