Suicide Prevention Media Campaign Co-Creation Opportunities

Suicide Prevention Month Challenge

The California Department of Public Health launched Never a Bother, a statewide youth suicide prevention media campaign. This campaign was co-created with young people across California and continues to offer opportunities for youth to be involved in content creation for their communities. Visit www.NeveraBother.org to learn more.

Now you’re invited to continue to co-create with the campaign! 

  • All entries must incorporate Never a Bother campaign graphics and selected entries may be featured as part of the campaign! Find graphics at: NeveraBother.org/get-invoved.

Suicide Prevention Month Co-Creation Opportunities:

National Suicide Prevention Week (September 8th – September 14th, 2024) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th, 2024) is a time when individuals and organizations around California and the world come together to reach as many people to raise awareness of suicide prevention and support those who have lost someone to suicide.

This year’s Suicide Prevention Day theme is Change the Narrative with a worldwide call to action to #starttheconversation.  Every conversation, no matter how small, can remind someone that there is hope and that they are never a bother.

Deadline:  September 30, 2024
Questions?  Contact the campaign team info@neverabother.org

Get Started!

  • Select what co-creation challenge you want to submit to.  For September there are two options:  1) 988 Special Challenge and 2) September Prompt.  Prizes for each one vary!
  • Download campaign resources such as logos, characters, icons and more at neverabother.org/get-involved and for video entries, be sure to include our updated end slate (horizontal / vertical)
  • Inform yourself about some special considerations for how to message about suicide prevention.
  • Learn about the warning signs of suicide, crisis resources, and how to support yourself or a friend at www.neverabother.org
How will created pieces be used?
  • By CBO and Tribal Partners: We hope that you will use the communication pieces your youth create as part of your own communication efforts.
  • Considered for the media campaign:  All submissions from youth from CDPH-funded CBOs and Tribal Partners will be reviewed by the campaign team and selected submissions will be featured in the media campaign.  For example, on campaign social channels, as part presentations or toolkits, and more.
  • Entered into California Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Art and Film Contests organized by our partner Youth Creating Change.  This is an opportunity for submissions from CBO and Tribal Partner youth to get additional recognition and prizes. 
What if youth miss a deadline for a prompt?
  • The deadline for the Suicide Prevention Month co-creation challenges is September 30, 2024.
  • No problem!  Just contact the campaign team info@neverabother.org. The campaign team will review all submissions from CDPH-funded CBO and Tribal Partner youth, whether they responded by the deadline or later and consider them for inclusion in the media campaign.
  • However, if you don’t submit by the summer challenge deadline, your entry might not qualify for recognitions or trophies.
  • More prompts and challenges will be announced!
What criteria will be used to review entries?
  • All submissions will be reviewed by the campaign team for how well they responded to one of the provided prompts and how creative they were in incorporating the Never a Bother campaign.
What end slate should I include at the end of my video?
What are the prizes?
  • There are two challenges youth can enter.  1. Special 988 Art & Video Challenge and 2. September Monthly Prompt. 
  • Youth associated with the first-place winning entry will receive a Never a Bother trophy (up to 10 youth per entry)
  • Entries will also be entered into the Hope & Justice monthly art and film contest and qualify to win additional prizes.
How do I submit my entry?

Use the entry form specific to CBO/Tribal Partners.

Do I need to sign a release form?

Yes, anyone who worked on the project or who can be seen or heard onscreen must sign a release form. Release forms should be submitted electronically and need to be signed by a parent/guardian if youth are under the age of 18. Release forms available in English and Spanish. If you need to download a physical copy, they can be found here (English / Spanish).

Prompts

Special 988 Art & Video Challenge: 

Review the informational videos about what happens when you call or connect with 988 here.  Now create your own video or digital graphic (sized for Instagram) promoting this resource to young people from your community. 

Every entry that shares the reasons someone should reach out for help and incorporates graphics from the Never a Bother campaign receives a $20 gift card and a chance to win a $100 grand prize from our partner Youth Creating Change and the Hope & Justice initiative.

No trophies will be awarded for the Special Challenge.

September Prompt:

Life can get overwhelming, especially when we experience small and big life changes like going back to school, moving, going to college or a new school, or even starting a job. This month create a film, art piece, song, or narrative that reminds us that we don’t have to face these challenges alone.  

  • Review the “How to Help a Friend” page on the campaign website.  Your entry should show specific steps someone can take  to help a friend who is thinking about suicide.  What are the warning signs of suicide?  How do you #starttheconversation? What do you do if a friend shares they are thinking about suicide?  What if they post someone that worries you on social media?
  • All entries must incorporate Never a Bother campaign graphics and selected entries my be featured as part of the campaign! Find graphics at: NeveraBother.org/get-invoved.
  • Youth associated with the first place winning entry will receive a Never a Bother trophy.  Entries will also be entered into the Hope & Justice monthly art and film contest and qualify to win additional prizes.