This Speak Hard 2012 presentation was given by two youth from northeast Missouri and was the platform keyword for reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors in at-risk youth. The presentation addressed local efforts in northeast Missouri involving prevention activities related to suicide prevention through the production of Public Service Announcements involving universal messages in bullying and substance abuse prevention. Participants learned how to identify risk factors and what to do when a friend is asking for help.

2. Jaheem Herrera
Afraid
Insi gnificant Phoebe Prince
Depressed St upid Isola ted
Megan Meier
Fat Gay
Jesse Logan Hated
Victim Ugly
Su ck Seth Walsh Ryan Halligan
Hope Witsell
U n wa nted Lonely
Different
Tyler Clementi
eird Alone
Rejected W Alexis Pilkington

3. Words can cost a life.

4. What happened to over 4,000 of
American’s children
this year?
Teen Suicide
•Over 4600 children between the
ages of 10-24 die by suicide each
year.
•Suicide is the 3rd leading cause
of death in ages 15-24

5. • Divorce and Family Problems
• Unplanned Pregnancy
• Being Bullied
• Low self- esteem
• Not making the sports team
• Pressure to succeed – grades, sports, weight
issues
• Struggles with sexual orientation
• Struggles with anger and violent urges
• Pressures to use alcohol and drugs

6. Megan Taylor Meier
November 6, 1992-October 17, 2006

7. Bullying- an aggressive behavior
that is intentional and involves an
imbalance of power or strength.
• Physical
• Verbal
• Emotional

9. • 85% of bullying occurs in the
presence of an audience of
bystanders.
• Every day 6 out of 10 American
teens witness bullying in their
school and don’t take measures to
stop it.

10. • Bullying creates a climate
According to statistics reported by ABC
News, “160,000 disrespecthome
of fear and students stay in
from school every hasbecause of fear of
schools and day a negative
bullying.” on student learning.
impact

11. • Boys are more likely to be physically bullied by
their peers.
• Girls are more likely to be targets of rumor
spreading or sexual comments.
• Girls are more likely to bully each other using
social exclusion
• Students who are bullied may fear going to
school, using the bathroom, and riding the
school bus.

12. Your Actions and Decisions Now, Affect Your Future
• Students who frequently bully their peers are
more likely than others to get into frequent
fights, be injured in a fight, vandalize, or steal
SUCCESS
property, drink alcohol, smoke, drop out of
school, and carry a weapon.

13. The Seven C’s
•Today’s youth need adults who believe in them
unconditionally and hold them to the high
•Competence
expectations of being compassionate, generous,
and creative.
•Confidence
•Connection
•Character
•Contribution
•Coping
•Control

14. • Create prevention activities .
Example: “Mash it up Mondays”
• Form a group to coordinate prevention activities
• Garner staff and parent support for bullying prevention
• Increase adult supervision in hot spots where bullying
occurs
• Increase knowledge and awareness on bullying causes and
effects.
Examples: Intercom Announcements,
Statistic Posters, Bully-Free Spirit Weeks
• Continue efforts and enthusiasm over time

15. No one deserves to be bullied.

16. Statewide 24 Hour Crisis Hotlines
Burrell ACI System
1/800-494-7355
MOCARS ACI Hotline
1/800-356-5395
Comm Care ACI Hotline
1/888-279-8188
University Behavioral Health
1/800-395-2132
Clark Center ACI Hotline
1/800-801-4405
Ozark ACI Hotline
1/800-247-0661
Behavioral Health
Response ACI Hotline
1/800-811-4760
Arthur Center ACI Hotline
1/800-833-2064
Pathways ACI Hotline
1/800-833-3915