Youth Speak Out!

Stopping by a Candy Shelf (Poem)

If only
The people of the world
could keep
their true separate flavors
and hold tight to each other
the way
Lifesavers do.

Ida Fasel

DIRECT QUOTES FROM YOUTH

“With suicide I think that a major thing is a feeling of being alone and I think that the greatest way that we can help youth is let them know that we are here for them.”

“…I don’t want anyone to complete suicide, especially youth, they have their whole life ahead of them and one or more problems shouldn’t make them take their life because there is a solution to everything!”

“I decided to become a LifeSaver because of my past experiences in depression. I can relate to what kids are feeling and I want them to have someone to talk to. Also I have some depressed friends and I wanted to know what I could do to help them and other kids who feel like they do.”

“I hope that in the future the LifeSaver Program will continue to grow and reach out to more and more young people; possibly spreading to include teams in the middle schools. The goals of the program are so important and the LifeSavers work will only continue to become more important as the years go on.”

“I do see the program spreading throughout the province. I know that we have already touched many people with the cards alone and I feel we will be making a significant difference in the number of suicide deaths and contemplations.”

“I think that more and more awareness needs to be raised in order to stop or slow youth suicide and I hope that this program in the future will raise enough awareness and provide enough support to destroy youth suicide all together. But I know that great things will only come out of this program with devotion and dreams.”

“I can see youth making a very cool presentation on youth suicide and they can go around to the middle and elementary schools and teach! The younger we go the more impact we will have for the future.”

“With suicide I think that a major thing is a feeling of being alone and I think that the greatest way that we can help youth is let them know that we are here for them.”

“…I don’t want anyone to complete suicide, especially youth, they have their whole life ahead of them and one or more problems shouldn’t make them take their life because there is a solution to everything!”

“I decided to become a LifeSaver because of my past experiences in depression. I can relate to what kids are feeling and I want them to have someone to talk to. Also I have some depressed friends and I wanted to know what I could do to help them and other kids who feel like they do.”

“I hope that in the future the LifeSaver Program will continue to grow and reach out to more and more young people; possibly spreading to include teams in the middle schools. The goals of the program are so important and the LifeSavers work will only continue to become more important as the years go on.”

“I do see the program spreading throughout the province. I know that we have already touched many people with the cards alone and I feel we will be making a significant difference in the number of suicide deaths and contemplations.”

“I think that more and more awareness needs to be raised in order to stop or slow youth suicide and I hope that this program in the future will raise enough awareness and provide enough support to destroy youth suicide all together. But I know that great things will only come out of this program with devotion and dreams.”

“I can see youth making a very cool presentation on youth suicide and they can go around to the middle and elementary schools and teach! The younger we go the more impact we will have for the future.

STEPH SAYS

“There were 31 suicides in BC just last year.* Suicide is the most preventable form of death and it's a tragedy that has to be avoided. We're here to promote something called "Resiliency", because everyone has hard times in their lives, but it's the way we react to them that counts. Watch for us around the school; we'll be having presentations and all sorts of things. And meanwhile, we want you to remember that you are not alone. There are people who care about you and how you're feeling, whether it's happy or sad or anything we want to hear about it. We want you to find time to connect with friends and family and people who care about you.

If times get tough, there's a number for the Youth4Youth Crisis Line and if you call that, you can reach people who want to help you get through it.”

Steph
A LifeSaver

A NOTE FROM ROB

Last year a small group of grade twelve students put together an organization called LifeSavers, in order to raise support and education on the topic of suicide. Suicide is the second largest cause of death in Canada in youth from 10-24 after motor vehicle accidents. Our school group has grown tremendously, incorporating students from all areas of the school.

The LifeSavers are more than ready to help you, help yourself. This year you can expect to see all twenty of us doing presentations, like this one, or holding assemblies to provide coping skills for life.
Okay, so this year, like RIGHT NOW! The LifeSavers have decided to do a project similar to last year.

Just to recap, last year for the project the LifeSavers gave out these nifty little cards that had this green LifeSaver on it. Last years’ had a variety of different support numbers for anyone to call. This year, it’s the same idea, but only has the Youth4Youth crisis line. As you can see the number is 862-TEEN (8336) and it is program that is offered to the youth of Kelowna. Youth4Youth is available to anyone who is going through a rough time or wants to talk. The neat thing about the Y4Y line is that it is managed by youth for youth. From 4 – 10pm it’s managed by youth, but otherwise the calls are directed to an adult line, so that it is available 24/7. We urge you to call this phone number and talk to the person at the other end if you’re feeling stressed out or lonely, because talking can be one of the greatest stress managing techniques.

Throughout the year, you’ll be seeing the LifeSavers crew doing projects with the school and community, teaching students coping skills for life.”

Rob
A LifeSaver

LIFE JUST ISN'T
(A Poem)

Life Just Isn’t

Life isn’t about keeping score. It’s not about how many people call you and it’s not about whom you’ve dated, are dating, or haven’t dated at all. It isn’t about whom you’ve kissed, which guy or girl likes you, or what sport you play. It’s not about your shoes, your hair, or the colour of your skin, or where you live, or go to school. In fact it’s not about grades, clothes, money, or colleges or universities that accept you or not. Life isn’t about if you have lots of friends, or if you’re alone. It’s not about how accepted or unaccepted you are.

Life just isn’t about that.

But life is about whom you love and whom you hurt. It’s about how you feel about yourself. It’s about trust, happiness, and compassion. It’s about sticking up for your friends and replacing inner hate with love. Life is about avoiding jealousy, overcoming ignorance and building confidence. It’s about what you say and what you mean. It’s about seeing people for who they are, not what they have. Most of all, it’s about choosing to use your life to touch someone else’s in a way that could never have been achieved otherwise. These choices are what life’s all about.

Anonymous