SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
HIGH ENERGY SCHOOL TOUR
LIVE BY ANY MEANS
By Any Means key messages are centered around empowering young people to rise above depression, anxiety, bullying and daily hardships. Instead of choosing a permanent solution to a temporary problem, the tour encourages individuals to reach out for help and do whatever it takes to By Any Means, Choose Life!
The tour features a free to schools 30-45 minute show. It’s high energy and fast paced to make them relevant to each audience it is presented to. The show features several creative arts performances, local celebrities, music, inspirational youth communicators, giveaways, and more. Every show has a follow up team that is QPR or ASIST trained to interact with those that respond to the message presented during the show.
Three key pathways focused on the tour for youth to seek help:
1. Speak up - Crisis Text Line
2. Reach out - School Counselors
3. Get Connected - Local Youth Communities
ABOUT
THE HEART OF BY ANY MEANS
The Dear George Foundation presents ‘By Any Means’ a suicide prevention and awareness school tour and social media platform. The foundation exists to empower and motivate the youth of America, to remove the shame around asking for help, and help raise the standard of living.
According to 2017 CDC WISQARS suicide is the second leading cause of death for middle and high school age youth (age 12-18) . Every year approximately 47,000 Americans take their own lives, affecting the lives of many others. We believe that we can make an impact on young people before they take their lives.
The release of these statistics prompted the Dear George Foundation to pioneer By Any Means in 2019 as a mechanism to prevent youth suicide in Tennessee. The prevention of suicide is a complex issue. Therefore, it requires a combined effort between high schools, parents, youth communities, peers, teachers, government and non – government organizations. Working together is essential to reach the youth of Tennessee.
The key message of the program and campaign is to speak up, reach out and get connected. It wants to give a voice to the voiceless and empower them to by any means...choose life!
The campaign is all about presenting young people with three accessible pathways to talk about and overcome depression, anxiety, bullying and any other issue that maybe getting them down.
We use known faces and personal stories from the music, spoken word, dance and the sports industry to create a relevant presentation that captivates and communicates to young people as well as encourages them to reach out for help. There is a continued and urgent need for a campaign like this in our high schools and universities.
THREE CLEAR PATHWAYS
SPEAK UP - REACH OUT - GET CONNECTED
1. When you are isolated, call Crisis Text Line
Encouraging youth when in times of distress and isolation to call the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
2. When at school visit the School Counselor
Helping to remove the stigma and barriers around asking for help and receiving counselling. Encouraging students to talk to their high school counselor who is onsite during school hours.
3. When not at school visit weekly local youth communities.
Connect with a positive youth community running weekly in cities around TN to provide ongoing mentoring, leadership development and support. In this environment they will receive support from their peers and positive role models.
