Article | - 4:18 pm
World Suicide Prevention Day
In recent years, members of the Youth Power Group (YPG) have brought the message “We don’t judge you, we help you” to thousands of youths in the United States.
Through the HELP project, YPG is reaching out and searching for youths that are suffering to offer assistance. On September 10th, the HELP project went through the city streets of California to raise awareness amongst youths. Topics such as drug use, mental health, & suicide prevention were discussed to raise awareness. During Yellow September, HELP volunteers also raised awareness within the communities on everything related to Suicide Prevention & offered programs that will help with these issues.
The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) established World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) in 2003, which is also referred to as “Yellow September ” in order to end the stigma suffered by people with mental disorders or suicidal behavior, one of the main barriers to preventing suicide. This day was also in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO).
As part of the awareness campaign, volunteers from the YPG group walked to several cities in the country with solidarity banners that included written messages such as: “you are not alone,” “your life matters,” and “the current situation does not define your destiny,” & “ask for help.” Any prevention seems little for this evil that continues to wreak havoc on our society.
The HELP volunteers carried on with their signs while speaking to many people & communities throughout the cities. Volunteers shared their stories, offered YPG programs, and informed those who wanted to know more. The word of faith given that day encourages and motivates these individuals to seek proper help against suicidal thoughts.
“…Because I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink;I was a stranger and you took me in… Truly I say to you, as soon as you did it to one of these my least brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35,40)
Many people received this word and shared their problems with the group; difficult situations they face and cannot overcome. For all these people, hearing a word of faith from HELP is comforting; They received a lot of encouragement, strength, and hope to fight and prevent future suicide attempts.
If you would like more information about the work being done through the HELP project, other projects done by the YPG, or how to volunteer, please visit The Universal Church near you today.
