The National Quarterback Club (NQBC) announced today the partnership between NQBC, Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC) and Arizona-based suicide prevention hotline operators Teen Lifeline. With grant funding support from NQBC, the three-way collaboration will produce a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) designed to reduce the incidents of suicide and suicide attempts among teens in Arizona.
“The PSA messages will be a call to action to contact Teen Lifeline and generate familiarity with Teen Lifeline as an immediate resource available to teens in crisis attempting to navigate tough times,” said Don Kile, president of NQBC. “It is a pleasure to support Michelle Moorhead and the entire Teen Lifeline family as they celebrate 34 years of fostering supportive communities and enhancing resiliency and hope for teens in crisis.”
September is Teen Suicide Prevention Month and Teen Lifeline has scheduled 32 campus visits to Arizona high schools in 30 days to share the message that ‘there is help and there is hope’. The Teen Lifeline contact information is present on the backside of over 200 high school student ID across the state.
“To support Teen Lifeline’s mission, nine of the 2018 Ed Doherty Award Medallion Nominees from four Valley high schools have begun filming the PSAs advocating the organization’s hotline and website,” said Ward Hickey, president of GCSGC. “The PSAs will seek to convey a peer-topeer message that teens in crisis are not alone in their emotional struggles.”
“We hope the PSA campaign brings awareness to students who are struggling, and to the friends, parents, teachers and coaches who support them. There are resources and people out there who can help,” said Michelle Moorhead, executive director of Teen Lifeline. “With the support of these outstanding student athletes, we are confident that our message will gain traction and momentum. We cannot thank the National Quarterback Club enough for their generous support and leadership on this important issue.”
The PSAs will be aired and channeled through various social media outlets and repeated during the morning announcements at many high schools statewide. The campaign will last the entire month of September bringing additional attention to Suicide Prevention Month.
“The National Quarterback Club is pleased to support a highly effective, grassroots program that activates the sport we know and love by sharing a message of hope and encouragement in Arizona,” Kile said. “This message of hope to teens in crisis is more relevant today than ever. We are proud to partner with both GCSGC and Teen Lifeline in the effort of saving lives.”
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, don’t give up. There is help and there is hope. Call or text (602) 248-8336, or visit www.teenlifeline.org.
About Teen Lifeline
Teen Lifeline is an Arizona-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent teen suicide by enhancing resiliency in youth and fostering supportive communities. We envision a world where youth possesses a sense of connectedness and hope for their future. Teen Lifeline strives to impact the devastating problem of teen suicide and empower youths to make healthy decisions through its peer-to-peer crisis hotline and text messaging service, Life Skills Development Training for teen volunteers, and Community Education, Prevention and Postvention services.
Established in 1986, Teen Lifeline is accredited through the American Association of Suicidology. Between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. daily, trained, volunteer peer counselors between the ages of 15-19 answered more than 23,000 calls and 1,400 text messages in 2018.
For more information, visit TeenLifeline.org. For help, call or text Teen Lifeline at (602) 248TEEN (8336) or (800) 248-TEEN.
About the National Quarterback Club
The National Quarterback Club is guided by a comprehensive mission, a clear vision, and consistent values. Through its various award programs, the club recognizes outstanding athletes for their qualities and achievements on and off the playing field, and serve as a model for comprehensive excellence in athletic achievement, academic success, and greater social affinity. In 1985, the National Quarterback Club began a tradition of hosting annual fundraising events to honor the National Quarterback of the Year in professional, collegiate and high school ranks. Annual awards dinners have been hosted in great sports cities such as Washington D.C., Miami, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Green Bay, Denver, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Houston and Scottsdale, Arizona.
The 2019 National Quarterback Club Awards Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 17, 2020. For information contact info@nationalqbclub.com or www.nationalqbclub.com
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