Business reply cards, or BRCs, glue tacked into print issues of the Well Aware bulletin garner significant feedback that helps shape future program content. Here’s what these cards, returned to us by Well Aware target audiences, are telling us:

80% of respondents tell us to “Keep It Coming” when it comes to the Well Aware
print bulletin
40% of respondents request “In-service Training” in suicide prevention
52% of respondents request “Curriculum” in suicide prevention
47% of respondents request “Student Programs” in suicide prevention
48% of respondents request “Peer Programs” in suicide prevention
53% of respondents request “Family Support” for suicide prevention

… and an astounding 38% check ALL of the above in their requests for more information about youth suicide prevention!

Engaging state education professionals in dialogue about youth suicide —A 25-question online survey of 1,456 Well Aware program participants in the State of Wyoming yielded a high response rate, with 260 responses, or roughly 20% (versus typical direct-mail response rates of 2-3%). The high response rate suggests that participants had an emotional reaction to this issue, that suicide prevention likely struck a chord with them and resonated emotionally. Moreover, survey results help shape future program content for Well Aware to ensure it is relevant to Wyoming attitudes and policies, and consistent with needs. View the Executive Summary.

Surveying Well Aware Webinar participants in conversation about needs and delivery mechanisms —One day after we conducted a Well Aware Webinar for the State of Wyoming, 11 of the 35 attendees were interviewed by telephone, using a 16-question survey, to assess their feedback and interest in future webinars. Each phone call lasted an average of 6-7 minutes. Major takeaways were that attendees want more webinars and find them less burdensome to attend than in-person meetings, and informative in ways that can assist them in their work with at-risk populations.

Well Aware receives requests for additional resources for youth suicide prevention from a broad array of stakeholders who interact with at-risk youths. Among those we have heard from are professionals in:

"I have read the articles of this newsletter and find the information to be pertinent for today's administrators and other stakeholders. As a former 7-12 counselor, 7-12 science/math teacher, and newly minted K-12 school administrator, I know that this topic is vital for the mental health of the children, youth, and young adults we serve. Without a concerted dissemination of information, it may not be a topic that all administrators are comfortable in tackling."
Janet L. Mason
Pattonsburg, MO

"I sort of stumbled upon your Well Aware newsletter by accident on the DESE website. I think this is a wonderful document. I do hope that it is being distributed in paper format to all school board members, principals and superintendents. Whoever came up with this idea, great job. We've needed a regular newsletter on this topic for sometime. ...Keep up the good work."
With Best Wishes,
Dr. Jon Turner, Project Director
Southern Texas County Safe Schools/Healthy Students
Cabool R-IV Schools, Cabool, MO

"I just wanted you to know how impressed I was with the first edition of Well Aware. I think you did a nice job of introducing programs and services in a positive way and also did a great job of linking school performance to mental health issues. Your inclusion of a message from Superintendent Burmaster adds to the credibility and importance of this bulletin for administrators and board members. In summary, Well Aware was Well Done. Thanks for putting this together."
Fred Sutkiewicz, Ph.D.
Sheboygan Area School District
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

"The information is extremely needed. There are kids in real pain out there so this webinar was very relevant. I wish that everyone was listening and hearing this information."
Marcy Rasmussen
Nurse
Unita County Public Health
Evanston, Wyoming

"We have received such great feedback from Well Aware that I’m looking for funding to continue it..."
Erin MacInnes
Director, Statewide Office of Suicide Prevention
Executive Office of the Governor
State of Florida