Coalition Initiatives

Yellow Ribbon Campaign – an awareness campaign held every September (Suicide Prevention and Awareness month) throughout the four counties. All area schools are offered a kit created by the coalition that contains yellow ribbon and sidewalk chalk. A student group from the school takes the materials we give them and creates their own suicide awareness campaign in their community.

Hope Walks- Every year the Coalition has chosen a theme to raise awareness for suicide within the four county community. For years we did “Stomp the Stigma” and had a pair of shoes displayed for every life lost to suicide over a year year span in Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams Counties.

After that, teal, purple and yellow flags were used to line the path of the One Step at a Time 5k run/walk in Defiance, and the walkway to Northwest State Community College. In 2023, the theme of butterflies was chosen as a representation of hope. The butterflies line both paths, and were also on display in the Grange Building at the Fulton County Fair.

Words Matter

What to Say vs What Not to Say

Died by suicide instead of Committed suicide

Suicide attempt instead of Failed or successful attempt

Disclosed thoughts of suicide instead of Threatened suicide

Died as the result of self-inflicted injury instead of Took their own life