Sources of Strength
Too many of our Douglas County youth and adults have ended their lives. It’s time for us to work together to prevent suicides, bullying and substance misuse in our community. If we want to raise healthy youth, we have to do it together. That’s why Douglas County Healthy Youth Coalition is creating a Sources of Strength movement in our community.
Sources of Strength is a schoolwide recognized best practice program aimed at preventing youth suicide, bullying, and substance misuse by harnessing the power of peer social networks. Peer Leaders and Adult Advisors are both trained to help change social norms, encourage youth to seek help when they need it, and support them in developing their own strengths in life. Sources of Strength approach addresses these issues by increasing help seeking behaviors and promoting connections between peers and caring adults.
Sources of Strength moves beyond a singular focus on risk factors (problem) by utilizing an upstream approach for youth suicide prevention. This upstream model strengthens multiple sources of support (protective factors) around young individuals so that when times get hard they have strengths to rely on.
Learn more about Sources of Strength: What is Sources of Strength?
DCHYC and the Sources of Strength international team feel that this program should become a movement that benefits youth and adults alike. It is this for this reason we have committed to building the capacity, knowledge and reach of this program countywide in the following areas:
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Ensure all Douglas County residents are aware of the Sources of Strength program and its benefits in supporting the health and wellbeing of our youth.
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Support school districts, individual schools (public & private) and youth-serving organizations in implementing this program.
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Build the knowledge, skills and abilities of Douglas County parents and trusted adults to reinforce and integrate Sources of Strength curriculum, tools, and practices with the young people that they support and love, as well as themselves.
DCHYC Sources of Strength parents and trusted adult resources,
materials & activities
Generosity includes acts of kindness towards others, big or small, and can actually make an impact on how we feel about ourselves. Being generous can often give us a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives.
Spirituality is experienced in many ways, including practicing gratitude. At its core, we are looking at what things feed and lift our spirit, no matter what our cultural heritage and/or spiritual tradition.
Medical care allows us to take care of our bodies, hearts and minds and to get help when we need it.
Mental health is all about getting the support we need and deserve to live life fully. Talking to a trusted person, a counselor, or a doctor can help empower us to overcome struggles we might be facing.
Family support comes from people who support, nurture and care for us, whether our family is related to us by blood or by choice.
Positive friends lift us up, make us laugh, are honest with us and are there for us when we need them.
Mentors share their insights and experiences to help guide us to draw on our own strengths to be the best version of ourselves.
Healthy activities, whether they are physical, social, or emotional, help us unwind, lift our mood, and gain clarity.