Blue KC joins “Zero Reasons Why” Teen Suicide Prevention Campaign
Blue KC has been meeting mental health head on with our Mindful by Blue KC behavioral health services and sports partnerships. In the summer of 2021, we broadened our reach to the vulnerable teen community through the Zero Reasons Why (ZRW) teen suicide prevention campaign.
What Is ZRW?
ZRW (www.zeroreasonswhy.org) is a teen-led storytelling and community mobilization campaign to remove the stigma of mental health and prevent teen suicide. Adult voices have often been at the center of mental health conversations, but through the Zero Reasons Why campaign, teen voice is amplified.
Stories and perspectives are shared to dismantle the stigma of mental health. Reducing that stigma allows teens to ask for help without shame or judgment. If that can be accomplished, the belief is teen suicides will decrease in our communities.
It takes all of us—teens, parents, educators, health professionals and the community—to remove the stigma of mental health, foster community support, improve education and increase awareness to prevent teen suicide.
How Is Blue KC Helping?
In partnership with Overflow – a strategic story, experience design, and creative production agency – we expanded the impact of ZRW in Kansas City, with a focus on activating in school districts within our coverage area.
We Helped Develop a New Teen-Focused Website
This Blue KC and ZRW co-branded website (www.zeroreasonswhy.team) educates and activates teen “Street Team” members who are eager to engage in suicide prevention activities and mental health promotion. Since its launch in late 2021 through October 2022, the website:
- Welcomed nearly 5,000 unique visitors.
- Had more than 36,000 page views.
- Encouraged teens to share their mental health stories through the website.
- Took teen requests for in-school events.
- Offered ZRW toolkits, videos, graphics, and social media influencer kits.
- Offered free ZRW swag.
- Linked teens to help through a Crisis Text Line and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
We Helped Facilitate Webinar-Based Workshops
High school educators and school administrators in the Kansas City area participated in webinars to learn about ZRW, its origins and accomplishments, and how they can deploy campaign activities in their districts.
We Helped Deploy Cross-Promotional and Storytelling Campaigns
- Published dozens of social media posts featuring teen mental health stories and resources, which contributed to thousands of impressions and engagements.
- Engaged in cross-promotional activities with the Kansas City Royals and KC Current.
- Participated in a Kansas City Business Journal Table of Experts article.
We Sponsored In-School Events
At more than two dozen in-school events, we engaged thousands of teens through the “Banner Days,” “Take it or Leave It,” and “Snapshots of Support” programs. At these events, students talked with event organizers and walked away with more than 7,000 pieces of mental health promotional materials, collateral and stigma-reducing SWAG.
How Can You Get Involved?
You can learn more about getting involved and find helpful resources at www.zeroreasonswhy.org. And please share the website www.zeroreasonswhy.team with the teens in your life who want to have an impact.
There are many reasons teens struggle with mental health. There are Zero Reasons Why they should struggle alone.