The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program® (YRSPP) began in September of 1994 after the suicide of 17-year-old Mike Emme.  In the days following Mike's death, dozens of teenagers approached Mike's family, asking what they could do.  Mike's parents responded by saying, "Don't ever do this.  Don't commit suicide.  Reach out to someone and ask for help."  Kids took notes.   "It's okay to ask for help," they wrote, and it become the common theme.  Thus, the Yellow Ribbon Card was born.

The significance of the development of  The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program ® is that from the beginning, the kids themselves moved this program and continue to do so today.  Youth, worldwide, continue to initiate Yellow Ribbon in their lives and communities daily.  They are empowered - taking action and saving lives.

The continued success of the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program®  is due, mainly, to the belief that personal involvement at every level of the community is critical to the ongoing success of the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program®.

We all turn to peers and friends for help and support in times of crisis.
The American Association of Suicidology reports that 78% of adolescents turn to peers for help before they'll approach an adult.  The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program® educates in much the way that CPR is taught - as a vital, life-sustaining skill - until professional help arrives.

The primary goal of The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program® is prevention.  We also provide suicide prevention gatekeeper training and post-prevention services.  In association with teachers, counselors, and top suicide experts, The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program® has developed a simple, effective program that empowers children, youth, and adults to ask for help in times of crisis.  It teaches how to respond to a crisis to help prevent suicide.

The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program® is a simple, non-threatening, comprehensive training program.  Nobody is singled out.  Our goal of 100% training ensures that all youth will have at least three close resources available:

  • An adult in a professional relationship (teacher, counselor, etc.)

  • An adult in a non-professional or family relationship (friend or relative)

  • At least one peer

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