Summer Issue No.

You Matter To Me YOU MATTER TO Celebrates Its First Year!

UMTR2ME

August 01, 2013

In This Issue

TPHS Yellow Ribbon Week

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Tips That May Prevent Teenage Depression

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2 TALK TEXT UMTR Campaign

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Commit to doing one thing today, that will change your life forever. ~Jimm you matter to us. Greer
I cant believe that just last August the life changing and life saving initiative, UMTR2ME-You Matter To Me, was launched. This past year has been amazing with so many great experiences. Weve had opportunities to meet so many wonderful people and we truly love being a part of your lives. The stories of sadness and joy, struggles and successes, which so many of you have shared, really do matter to us, just as much as We couldnt be more excited to be releasing our 2nd newsletter and what better timing than just before Septembers Suicide Prevention month. Join UMTR2ME and many others across the globe, as we spread the simply powerful message, UMTR2ME-You Matter To Me. We cannot wait to walk alongside each of you as we embark on yet another, great and wonderful year.

Special Thank You

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Upcoming Events
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UMTR2ME Vision/Mission
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UMTR2ME Newsletter Editor: Jimm Greer Assistant Editor: Robyn Sembera

If life seems easy or like youve got it all figured out, then youre really not living.

Summer Issue No.2

August 01, 2013

Torrey Pines High School Yellow Ribbon Week

Of the 38,634 Americans who took their lives last year, 5,000 of them were teenagers. Of all the states, California had the most deaths with 3,913. With that troubling trend in mind, Torrey Pines High School held Yellow Ribbon Week during the week of May 20th to promote suicide prevention among teenagers and to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. The week of awareness and inspiration was led by the Peer Assistant Listeners (PALs) group and its advisor Don Hollins, who is also the independent study and online learning lab facilitator. The message is an important one and not one that students hear every day, Hollins said. Statistically we need to break the cycle, have the courage to say I need help and the courage to reach out to people who need that help, Hollins said. Over 2,000 students attended six different assemblies with a variety of presenters including: Anna Collins, a Harvard MBA graduate and Amazon executive who spoke about the tools for handling stress and failure; transpersonal psychotherapist Dr. Dorothy Gita Moreno, who spoke on how to, find, follow and stay on your yellow brick road; Johnny Rivera, Talking to the TPHS the successful restaurateur behind Hash House A-Go-Go, Tractor Room students enabled me to and Great Maple Restaurant, on reach out to students who how he coped with the demise of might be going through his Plan A and turned Plan B into success; Bonnie Bear, the executive what I was going through director of Survivors of Suicide Loss at that age. Jimm Greer and the week was closed out by Jimm Greer, founder and director of UMTR2ME-You Matter To Me. In an interview by Anna Li of the Torrey Pines Falconer, Greer said, It was really great to have so many students approach me after the assembly to thank me and share some of their own personal stories. I remember this one girl walked up, smiled at me, then gave me a hug and walked away without even telling me her name. Another girl then came up, looked at me like she wanted to say something, and just started to cry. I hugged her and told her that if all she could do was cry, that was a good place to start.

Over 2,000 students attended six different assemblies

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Article courtesy of: Anna Li, editor, TPHS Falconer Karen Billing, columnist, Del Mar Times

Summer Issue No.2 3

August 01, 2013

Most teens spend a lot of time with various media, Neece said. Examine some of your childs most watched shows and movies. If they involve unrealistic situations or people, you may want to have a conversation about how media differs from reality.

Tips That May Prevent Teenage Depression

Teenage depression is a serious health concern. Sometimes preventing depression is not possible; however there are things you can do to give your teen the coping skills and support that can reduce their risk of serious depression. Laura Neece, Licensed Professional Counselor with Beloit Health Systems Counseling Care Center, offer some important advice. Be sure your child knows that you are there for them if needed. Good ways to show your support include: Making time every day to talk with your teen.

Repeated exposure to violent or overly negative content may aggravate feelings of depression. Talk with your kids about what they are watching, how they feel about it. Whether its through aerobic exercise like running or strength training, daily physical activity may help reduce depression and anxiety in teens. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least one hour of physical activity per day for teens. Getting sufficient sleep is also essential for helping teens feel their best both physically and emotionally. Lack of sleep may increase the risk of depression.

Some signs of depression in teens include: Taking an interest in things that interest them. Withdrawal from friends, family, hobbies, sports and other activities

Trying to encourage your child to express feelings without offering judgments or getting upset. Talk with them calmly about how they are feeling.

Depressed mood Offering positive feedback on accomplishments, good deeds or other strengths whatever form they take. Reduction in school performance Preparing and eating family meals together. Decreased energy and/or motivation Strong social relationships are also important for your teens mental health. Encourage your teen to spend time with his or her friends. Team sports or other group activities like academic clubs are also a great way for your child to increase self-esteem and widen his or her social support network. Anger or irritability

Being very sensitive (possibly overreacting) to criticism Poor self-esteem or guilt Decreased concentration, difficulty making decisions

Summer Issue No.2

August 01, 2013

2 TALK TEXT UMTR

Restlessness Changes in sleep or eating habits Suicidal thoughts If you are concerned that your child may be depressed, especially if they are having suicidal thoughts, seek medical assistance. Medical professionals may suggest a variety of treatment options. Article courtesy of: Laura Neece, Licensed Professional Counselor with Beloit Health Systems Reprint permission given by, Sarah Starmer, Beloit Health System Media Coordinator Earlier this year we launched a new program called 2TalkTextUMTR, which was started to offer another tool for those needing to reach out for support. We knew immediately the program was a success when we received a text message within just minutes of the launch. Below is that transcript. (txt) I self harm and I dont know, I just feel like no one cares about me. I tried to tell my parents but my mom called me an attention whore and my dad said he didnt care as long as I didnt get blood on his carpet. I dont know what to do. (umtr) I understand at times it can feel like no one cares but that simply is not true. Because by replying to this message, I just proved that someone does care. You are never alone even though 4 you may feel like it at times. (umtr) There will always be storms We realize its not always easy to tell someone, face to face, whats bothering you or whats going through your head. We understand sometimes you wish you could reach out and share your struggles in a private anonymous way. We know sometimes it is much easier to text than to talk. Weve all felt that way at one time or another. That is why weve launched the 2TalkTextUMTR program. We want you to know what ever your struggle may be, we are offering a way to openly, freely and privately text what is troubling you. We want to make sure you receive the support, the hope, the encouragement and the proper referrals necessary to help you make it through today and onto another tomorrow. So the next time you need

Social Media Updates

Facebook
www.facebook.com/ umtr2me
304 Fan Likes 28 Page Likes

Instagram umtr2me
191 Photos 47 Followers

Twitter www.twitter.com/ umtr2me

1,123 Tweets 42 Followers

UMTR2ME www.umtr2me.org
5913 Views 49 U.S. States 6 Continents 75+ - Countries TEXT #: (760) 440-UMTR

Summer Issue No.2 3

August 01, 2013

Surf City Marathon Fundraiser

We are excited to announce our first fundraiser at the Surf City USA Marathon being held in Huntington Beach, CA on Super Bowl Sunday February 2, 2014. Jimm has already begun his 30 week training program to get him primed and ready to give a solid representation of not only UMTR2ME, but everyone who supports this life changing and life saving initiative, as well as those all over the world who pick up their sword daily to fight their battles with depression, mental illness and thoughts of suicide. If you would like to find out more about this event or make a donation please visit umtr2me.org/surf-city-marathon-fundraiser/. Your thoughtfulness, no matter what the amount, is greatly appreciated.

A Special Thank You from Jimm

Wow, how awesome is this? Our second newsletter and the timing could not have been any better than on our one-year anniversary. If I thought a lot happened within the first six months, I could not have anticipated a full year. I feel absolutely blessed to be part of the wonderful life changing and life saving initiative, UMTR2ME-You Matter To Me. I feel extremely honored and humbled that so many wonderful people have allowed me to be a part of their lives, to walk with them through the good times and the not so good times.

UMTR2ME Building Blocks: Hope, Support and Encouragement

Many times I am asked how can I be so passionate about something so dark and dismal as depression, mental illness and suicide. I say, because I know what its like to walk through the darkness of hopelessness and then step into the light of hope.

I love being by the sides of my friends who need that little bit of encouragement when theyre feeling down. I know how important that feeling can be because I still have some of those days. No one is ever exempt from having a bad day, a bad week, a bad month, or even a bad year. Youve probably noticed, in many of our facebook postings or instgram photos, that we use their words hope, support and encouragement a lot. The reason for that is because those words are what we consider to be the building blocks of UMTR2ME. People find hope when they receive encouragement from those around them who offer support. So many great things have happened this year and none of it could have happened without the support of every single person that is a part of the UMTR2ME family. This year we are having our inaugural anniversary event, called An Afternoon of Appreciation. It is just a small, simple way of saying thank you to those who have supported and encouraged UMTR2ME throughout our first year.

Summer Issue No.2

August 01, 2013

Upcoming Events
August 2013
08/01- UMTR2ME one-year anniversary 08/10 An Afternoon of Appreciation event

September 2013
09/01-09/30 Suicide Prevention Month 09/08-09/14 Suicide Prevention Week 09/10 World Suicide Prevention Day

October 2013
10/19 San Diego AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk 10/26 Los Angeles AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk

November 2013
11/10 SOSLSD Save A Life Walk
Check your local area for upcoming events

Giving up is not an option, its a choice. Decide to make the right choice today.

UMTR2ME Vision

Our vision, very simple, we want you to say to someone, UMTR2ME, and when they ask you what that means, thats your opportunity to tell them, You Matter To Me. We want you to tell someone today, You Matter To Me, because you may not have the opportunity to do it tomorrow. UMTR2ME Mission To provide quality support, hope, motivation and education for individuals who are struggling with mental illness, depression, thoughts of suicide or who have attempted suicide. To personally provide local support in San Diego, CA, as well as national and international support through e-mail and online social media platforms like facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and through the UMTR2ME website.

Bracelet Information merchandise@umtr2me.org

UMTR2M
1670 Pember Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91913 760.440.UMTR (8687) www.umtr2me.org

Donation Information donations@umtr2me.org General Information info@umtr2me.org Share Your Story mystory@umtr2me.org Social Media/Outreach outreach@umtr2me.org

You Matter To Me