About Yellow Ribbon Program

What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?
It provides unique suicide prevention trainings and community awareness to help bridge the gap and create an atmosphere of seeking and providing help for all ages-youth and adults–lay people and professionals.

The program began in 1994 in response to heartfelt pleas from teens and adults after the death of a friend. Words of help and hope said by the teen’s family were put on bright yellow paper and shared at the services.

Why Yellow? For their friend who was known for the bright yellow 1968 Ford Mustang he had rebuilt. Teens shared the messages locally and began to mail them to friends and loved ones. Within three weeks word came of a girl who got help when she gave the hallmark of the program–the Ask 4 Help!® Card (that bright yellow message) to her teacher. The ripple effect began and a bright yellow bridge was built.

Training Sunday, April 12. Youth at First United Methodist Church have already held a Yellow Ribbon Training and now, we are offering one for adults and families. The training is free and will be led by Richard Falcon of Compass Mental Health. It will last until 1:30, Sunday, April 12 in the Fellowship Hall. Pizza will be provided, but we need to know if you are planning to attend to have enough food. Call the church office 620-227-8181 to register before Thursday, April 9th.