What is Project LIFE (Living Is For Everyone)?
Project LIFE is a comprehensive, statewide suicide prevention initiative targeting youth ages 10–24. Project LIFE is sponsored by the Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition (DSPC).
The goals of Project LIFE are to prevent suicidal behaviors by:
- Helping individuals and families recover quickly from difficult conditions such as depression or suicide
- Reducing the impact of suicide and suicidal behaviors
- Improving access to and availability of prevention services for everyone
Project LIFE uses a system-wide community approach to recognize young people at risk for suicide and refer them to appropriate services. This has been shown to markedly reduce suicide rates.
Project LIFE focuses on evidence-based best practices in the field because prevention programs that address risk and protective factors at multiple levels are more effective.
Components of Project LIFE include
- Gatekeeper training Training Programs
- GetRightSideUp campaign
- Child Development Community Policing (CDCP)
- Teen website Del Teen Space
- Youth Suicide Prevention Network (YSPN)
Sometimes for teens and young adults, the whole world can feel upside down. Getting right side up means providing resources to teens and young adults that help them better understand depression and suicide
The GetRightSideUp campaign was developed to inform Delawareans about how suicide affects children, teens and young adults — no matter where you live or what your circumstances may be. We want to change attitudes and behaviors by letting people know that depression and suicide can affect anyone and that suicide is preventable.
Components of the campaign include:
- Youth Suicide Prevention Toolkits for youth, families, communities and educators (“Finding Balance in an Uneven World”)
- DART bus posters
- DVDs with a special suicide prevention message for teens (Spring 2010)
- Posters
- Calendars
- Biannual newsletters
- Community presentations
Our message is:
To help young people get right side up and find balance in this uneven world.
Who is behind Project LIFE?
Project LIFE is funded through the Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Act, managed by the Suicide Prevention Branch (SPB) within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s Center for Mental Health Services. Management of the program was awarded to the State of Delaware for Youth Suicide Prevention.