“I’m very grateful that funds raised from this year’s Ottawa Blues for Youth will support the Youth Nominated Support Team, a suicide prevention program that has a very real impact on the lives of young people in our community. Thank you for your generosity.”
— Dr. Zachary Kaminsky, DIFD Mach-Gaensslen Chair in Suicide Prevention Research at The Royal
How will your donation make a difference?
This year your support will contribute in a special way.
Approximately 4,000 deaths by suicide occur in Canada every year – 11 every day – making it the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults between the ages of 15 and 34. It’s a public health issue with far-reaching impacts, and it can be prevented.
Organizations behind the pilot of a suicide prevention program called Youth-Nominated Support Team (YNST) hope it will improve outcomes for young people who have recently reported a suicide attempt or have serious thoughts of suicide. YNST is essentially a solid support network for vulnerable youth, set up before a moment of crisis. In this model, an adolescent between the ages of 15 and 20 who recently reported a suicidal attempt – or has had recent serious thoughts of suicide – is linked up to a team of three to four supportive adults with whom they have an existing connection.
Members of the mentor team are chosen by the young person and may include adult family members, teachers, coaches, neighbours, and religious, spiritual, and community leaders.
Funds raised from this year’s OBFY will go to support this YNST program.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Donations up to $4,000 will be matched by Faulkner Real Estate and Flora Hall Brewery.
Free t-shirt with a minimum donation of $100.
Email Anita at otttawabluesforyouth@gmail.com to let her know your address and size.
Sizes available: Unisex S, M, L, XL
Images: Front and back of the OBFY t-shirt
