SAVE Announces Youth PSA Winners

MINNEAPOLIS, May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SAVE announced the winners of its 2013 Youth Summit PSA contest from the following regions:  1st place – Rochester-Olmsted; 2nd place – Carlton; 3rd place – Medford.  SAVE also announced the Audience Choice award which was from White Earth Reservation.  Each of these teams will receive a plaque and cash prize for their entry.

SAVE brought together over 60 high schools students from across the state last fall to learn about mental health, wellness, suicide, suicide prevention and how to create a public service announcement about suicide following the safe and effective messaging guidelines.  Other topics the youth learned about included:  resiliency, team-building, conflict resolution, online safety and coping skills for stress.

The students formed teams and along with an adult mentor developed their own PSAs which will be used locally and available to other organizations nationally to raise awareness of suicide among youth.  The submissions were judged by a panel of 9 experts from around the world.

"This was one of the best programs ever run by SAVE," said their Executive Director and national expert on the topic Dr. Dan Reidenberg.  "The youth who participated in the Summit and development of the PSAs learned skills that will last them a lifetime and quite possibly will save someone's life."

To view all of the PSAs submitted go to www.save.org and click on MN Youth Suicide Prevention PSA.

Suicide is a national public health crisis.  Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 34-year-olds and the third leading cause of death for 35 to 44-year-olds. SAVE works to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and serves as a resource to those touched by suicide.  

This project was funded and supported by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health.  To learn more about SAVE, visit www.save.org or call 952-946-7998.

CONTACT:
Dr. Daniel J. Reidenberg, PsyD
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
952-946-7998 [email protected]

SOURCE SAVE - Suicide Awareness Voices of Education