In 2009 a state of suicide emergency was declared on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. In 2013, 100 attempted youth suicides occurred during the first 110 days of the year. In 2015 between the months of December to March 103 attempts occurred of individuals between the ages of 12-14. These situations have become so common they don’t make the news.. The suicide rate on Pine Ridge is 150% higher than the national rate, so why does no one know about this? These beautiful angels were crying for help, but with no one to listen they thought the worst.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. -John 13:35
Info from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/02/us/pine-ridge-indian-reservation-struggles-with-suicides-among-young-people.html?_r=0
http://lakotachildren.org/pine-ridge-reservation/
When I visited the Reservation this fact was prevalent in my mind, but I had no idea how large the actual issue had become. This is a issue we should address and not continue to ignore. We can not be apathetic to this situation. These are beautiful human beings taking their own lives because they feel they have no other escape.
On March 11th, a campaign was launched to combat the suicide rate on Pine Ridge. This program is run through the same ministry I helped serve when I was there. The Adorned Campaign is spreading love and worth in many different ways. I am so excited to bring awareness to the campaign to share the love we have for our brothers and sisters of Christ. You may be wondering how you can get involved?
You can support this campaign financially by sponsoring a shirt. These shirts are given to girls in school systems on the Reservation. The Adorned Campaign is teamed up with the local schools and counselors to provide the girls with a positive message. The campaign will have a lasting impact and relationship within the schools. If you are willing and able to purchase a sponsorship bundle you will be providing these girls with a t-shirt, a band together bracelet and a encouraging poster. You can find a picture of what the package consists of HERE. This is a large way you can make an impact from your own community. If God places this campaign on your heart and you feel as if you can contribute purchase a sponsorship bundle HERE.
You can support this campaign socially. This is one of my personal favorite aspect of this campaign. When they go into the schools they will start off with a slide show showing these teens pictures of people who have written “You are more” on their hands. They will show them all of the support that have from across the country and across the world. You can take a picture of your hand with “You are more” and tag @adornedcampaign on their social media. We are showing these teens that they matter and there are people who do care about them. We are showing them they are more than the situations and environments they grow up in. They are more then the thoughts they are having.
You can support this campaign financially by sponsoring a shirt. These shirts are given to girls in school systems on the Reservation. The Adorned Campaign is teamed up with the local schools and counselors to provide the girls with a positive message. The campaign will have a lasting impact and relationship within the schools. If you are willing and able to purchase a sponsorship bundle you will be providing these girls with a t-shirt, a band together bracelet and a encouraging poster. You can find a picture of what the package consists of HERE. This is a large way you can make an impact from your own community. If God places this campaign on your heart and you feel as if you can contribute purchase a sponsorship bundle HERE.
You can support this campaign socially. This is one of my personal favorite aspect of this campaign. When they go into the schools they will start off with a slide show showing these teens pictures of people who have written “You are more” on their hands. They will show them all of the support that have from across the country and across the world. You can take a picture of your hand with “You are more” and tag @adornedcampaign on their social media. We are showing these teens that they matter and there are people who do care about them. We are showing them they are more than the situations and environments they grow up in. They are more then the thoughts they are having.
Get creative! Have your little brother, you, your grandparents all get involved. You are helping combat teen suicide on the Reservation. You are making a difference. God did not place us on this earth to sit back and let lives be taken. He wants you to make an impact. God has laid this campaign on my heart and I hope he has laid it on yours as well.
Lets make a goal to have at least 25 of you loving individuals to post pictures with your hand. It’s a simple task that is making a difference in the Native American community. So let us show our love. Snap a picture and show these teens that they matter.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. -John 13:35
Info from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/02/us/pine-ridge-indian-reservation-struggles-with-suicides-among-young-people.html?_r=0
http://lakotachildren.org/pine-ridge-reservation/
Lots of Love,
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