Yellow Ribbon Week has such a deep impact on many people around the country. Cathedral Catholic has Yellow Ribbon Week each spring and focuses on suicide prevention along with mental health education. Let’s take a look at how Cathedral runs Yellow Ribbon Week on campus.

The Yellow Ribbon Week tradition came about after the loss of Mike Emme “who took his life when he did not know the words to say, or know how to let someone know he was in trouble and needed help.” The Yellow Ribbon Website has many different types of ways to get involved in the suicide prevention program. By getting more involved with the program, people can help those struggling and help make the world a safer, more understanding place.

Ms. Cullen, a school counselor, states that, “We make sure that students don’t feel alone and that they’re not left alone, and make them feel included.” Promoting kindness during this week and being open to others is the best way students can help. Ms. Cullen, along with many other counselors, has been using the anagram ACT to help students remember. Acknowledge, Care, and Tell. Using this is a great way to look out for and try to help those who may be struggling.

The speaker that visited Cathedral, Wes Woodson, talked about how everyone has their own ways to seek help and how it’s okay to not be okay. Everyone enjoyed the speaker as he really shifted people’s perspectives on suicide awareness. Also on campus, students wrote supportive notes at lunch on Wednesday along with therapy dogs on Friday to help students feel the love from the community, and from Cathedral.

Cathedral Catholic also celebrated Yellow Ribbon Week with fun spirit days like pajama day, red/pink day, and Saint Patrick’s day. Stella Pannacciulli 28’ states, “My favorite spirit day was the pink and red day because we could come together as a community and listen to the all-school speaker.” With these fun spirit days, students were able to have fun while learning about suicide prevention and, learn how to help those on campus come together.

As Yellow Ribbon Week comes to an end, the message shouldn’t. The Suicide Crisis hotline is 988 and open for anyone who is struggling. Always remember that it’s okay to not be okay and by raising awareness, and caring for your neighbors, we can make a difference.