What people are saying about TAG, You're It!
To learn the signs and what to look
for and who we can turn to is just
absolutely awesome.
- Delana, Parent
The catchy phrase, TAG, love this! Easy
to remember!
- Middle School Teacher, Dallas, TX
I learned that you really have to look out for
your friends. There are signs and you gotta
keep looking out!
- Jeremy, 8th Grader, following a TAG
presentation at his school
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What is TAG?
TAG, You're It! is a new educational program designed to educate young
people and the adults in their lives about depression and suicide prevention and
to teach effective coping and help-seeking skills. Using the acronym TAG—which
stands for Take it seriously, Ask questions and Get help—we help students,
parents, and school staff learn how to recognize a teenager in distress, what to
do and where to get help.
TAG, You're It! was developed by the Grant Halliburton Foundation in 2010 and
is funded in part by the American Medical Association Foundation.
Who is TAG designed for?
TAG is designed for middle school students, high school students and college-age
youth. The program is also ideal for parents, educators, counselors and others
who want to know more about helping a young person who may be depressed,
in crisis or suicidal.
Why do we need TAG?
The fact is that youth depression and suicide are serious public health problems
that demand attention.
- In the DFW Metroplex, we lose a young person to
suicide at the rate of one every four days.
- Depression is responsible for more suicide deaths than
any other single risk factor.
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those
15-24 years old.
- 8 out of 10 young people who take their own lives give
warning signs of their intent.
Suicide is a highly preventable death. TAG, You're It! is designed to reduce
suicide and attempted suicides by increasing knowledge about the signs of a
person at risk.
How can friends help each other through TAG?
In a recent study, 40% of males and 60% of females reported that they
knew someone who had attempted suicide, but only 25% disclosed that
information to an adult. When in crisis, most young people turn first
to their peers for help. Published studies show that peer gatekeeper
training programs effectively improve skills, attitudes and knowledge.
The goal of TAG is to empower youth to take action by increasing their
knowledge and skills for responding to peers in crisis and involving adults
in the process.
What will students take away from this program?
TAG, You're It! is an interactive presentation that teaches students and
the adults in their lives how to intervene when a friend is exhibiting signs of
mental or emotional crisis, including suicidal behavior. The presentation can
be scaled from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the needs of the group.
Students will:
- Learn practical steps for recognizing the signs of
depression or suicidal crisis.
- Receive training on how to talk with a friend in crisis and
how to involve adults in the process of obtaining help.
- Discover proven tools for coping that lead to feeling
stronger and more hopeful.
- Receive a TAG, You're It! button along with brochures
about suicide prevention and signs of depression.
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