By Janine Carleton

Suicide is the fastest growing killer of youth in Canada today. On any given day in Canada there are sixteen teen suicides and each completed suicide, represents one-hundred attempts. It is believed that ninty-five percent of all youth suicides are preventable.

The most remarkable thing about this phenomenon is that until recently, no one addressed the issue. It is believed that suicide is immoral and wrong, and talking about it will hold the wrong influence on teens and adults alike. This is why a group of Unionville High School students, in dealing with the loss of fellow student and friend Christina Chadderton, established the Yellow Ribbon Program with in the GTA.

The Light for Life Foundation was created in the memory of Michael Emme, a 17 year old from Colorado who committed suicide in September of 1994. The Yellow Ribbon Program, as part of the Foundation, is dedicated to saving lives through the use of Yellow Ribbon Cards.

The pocket-sized card is the lifeline between a suicidal youth and those who can help. It gives a voice to those that can only scream a silent scream and informs a trusted adult of the youth's extreme anguish. Printed on the back of the card are instructions on what to do if a youth ever gives you the card. "Stay with the person - you are their lifeline!... Listen, really listen. Take them seriously!... Get or call help immediately!..." It is important to remember however, that the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program is not a crisis center, but it is here to reach out and provide help by referring numbers to such centers, on the back of the cards.

The cards are free to all youth and are made available through events, up-coming presentations in schools, churches, police, fire departments, and public places. Due to this and the chapter's decision not to charge for presentations, the program relies heavily on fund-raising, which has become a fundamental part of the program. Donations are put to the cost of printing cards, lapel pins, materials for events and presentations and education within the community.

For more information on the program, visit our Web Site WWW.YRGTA.COM