2018 PSA Contest for Youth Suicide Prevention

The Metro Area Suicide Prevention Coalition (MASPC) is a community collaboration working to end suicide and save lives in the greater Omaha area.  The mission of the MASPC is to inspire our community in preventing suicide and promoting resilience through conversation, education, support, and advocacy.  With that mission in mind, the MASPC announced a public service announcement (PSA) video contest for high school students focusing on suicide prevention.  The contest provided a unique opportunity for participants to learn more about suicide and key aspects of suicide prevention. The contest was modeled after those run in other states that have recognized the positive influence teens can have on each other.  Through their video creations, teens inspired and educated their peers about suicide awareness and prevention.

We were pleased to receive videos from students at Burke High School Focus Academy, Millard West High School, Omaha North High Magnet School, Platteview High School and Westside High School.  The public was able to view and then vote on the six videos from April 9^th – April 23^rd.  Over 500 votes were tallied and the winning PSA video was announced on May 1^st.  Libby Bekins and Aliyah White from Westside High School were the winners with their impactful video about stopping the suicide clock.

The winning PSA video will be shown during an Omaha Storm Chasers game on Thursday, May 24^th.  Libby and Aliyah will also get to throw out the first pitch that night!  We welcome everyone to join us at Werner Park for an evening of suicide awareness and prevention.  By engaging high school students, we hope to educate and prevent suicide in our local community.  For more information about the 2018 PSA Contest or the Metro Area Suicide Prevention Coalition, please go to www.thekimfoundation.org/Metro-Area-Suicide-Prevention-Coalition.html.

Lori Atkinson, Operations Assistant for The Kim Foundation, https://www.thekimfoundation.org/

Lori Atkinson joined The Kim Foundation in May 2015 as an Operations Assistant.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree from UNL in Middle Level Education. She was an 8^th grade English teacher in the Omaha Public Schools for ten years and started a small non-profit in her husband’s memory in 2010. Lori assists with many of the day-to-day tasks for The Kim Foundation which includes scheduling presentations in the community, coordinating booths at conferences, attending mental health trainings, researching mental illness/suicide, and working community events.  Lori is the proud mom of three children and is actively involved in her church.