[1]YMCA Receives Grant For Teenage Suicide Prevention.
The Sarasota Family YMCA was the recipient of a $25,000 grant from The Harry Sudakoff Foundation. They will utilize the grant to focus on recognizing symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation, assisting teens to enter crisis counseling and education to overcome stigma associated with suicide intervention.
Some of the Y programs included in the initiative:
• Y-Mentors who will train 150 volunteers to work one-on-one with local high school students on an on-going basis to provide guidance and support.
• Schoolhouse Link which provides services to over 450 homeless youth to insure that their basic living needs are met so that they may continue their education.
• The Safe Children Coalition has committed to instituting a system wide suicide prevention awareness program for staff including individuals working in foster care, independent living, adoptions, mentoring, educational outreach, shelter and fitness staff to ensure that staff are aware of the warning signs and know what steps to take to help save young lives.
• The Youth Shelter is a haven for homeless and runway youth. The shelter will provide suicide assessment services to all sheltered teens and provide education geared toward suicide prevention.
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