World First In Suicide Evidence-based Research

News Release 31 March 2004

World First In Suicide Evidence-based Research result of New Yellow Ribbon Initiative

Yellow Ribbon Trust has confirmed a research partnership with the Australian Institute of Suicide Research Prevention. The research, based on the impactof the Yellow Ribbon Schools Programme in Fijian schools, is heralded as a world first.

There has been no research to date on the impact of a single programme In environment where there has been no existing support mechanism. Yellow Ribbon CEO, Mr. Keith Pittman said today,

"Yellow Ribbon and the Fijian government are very pleased to have worldwide leaders in the field drive this research. Fiji will reap the benefit of definitive, well substantiated information regarding youth suicide in their country, while for Yellow Ribbon, we have the opportunity to have the impact and effectiveness of the Yellow Ribbon Programme conclusively measured."

AISRP has high, worldwide credibility, and the leader of the research project, Professor Diego De Leo, is the President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention and immediate past president of the International Academy for Suicide Research.

Professor De Leo is the winner of four international prizes, including the Stengel Award, and is the chair of the National Advisory Council on Suicide Prevention - Community and Expert Forum.

The Fiji research will be published in the most highly esteemed (high index) academic journals.

This research will have a huge impact on the national and international credibility of Yellow Ribbon NZ.

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