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Dad Posts Inspirational Signs Around Town Following Spate Of Teen Suicides

Dad Posts Inspirational Signs Around Town Following Spate Of Teen Suicides

'You never know who is struggling'

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

A dad in the US has erected motivational signs around his town following a spate of teen suicides in the area.

Colby Wallace, from Queen Anne, Seattle, decided to take action after hearing that four teenagers had taken their own lives in King County.

Determined to help, the 42-year-old came across the 'Don't Give Up Movement', which was started in 2017 by Amy Wolff, a mum from Newberg, Oregon. Much like Mr Wallace, she wanted to do something about the suicide rates in her community and so started distributing motivational signs.

Mr Wallace was a big fan of the idea, so he purchased 15 signs and 200 wristbands and set about distributing them around the area.

A dad in the US has distributed motivational sounds around the area following a string of teen suicides.
Colby Wallace

Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, he said: "These were local high school students and no one was really talking about it.

"We placed signs across the street from my daughter's school and an older woman told me, 'Thank you so much because people my age really need to hear this.'

"I've learned that you never know who is struggling. Some people seem like they have it together but need to hear this.

"A woman told me she was in tears after dropping off her daughter at school because the sign made her feel heard."

Soon enough, the signs started to get noticed across the town - and the school that his daughters attend decided to feature the signs in its newsletter, branding it the 'You Matter' campaign.

The dad hopes the campaign spreads to other areas.
Colby Wallace

From there the movement grew further, with people offering to help Mr Wallace to distribute the signs, which bear messages such as 'your mistakes do not define you', 'you're worthy of love' and 'don't give up'.

One of the latter signs has been tactically positioned on a steep hill to give cyclists a little bit of physical motivation.

People in the community have even donated $900 (£712) towards new supplies and Mr Wallace hopes the prevalence of these positive messages will help to give people a pick-me-up when they need it. What's more, he hopes the campaign spreads beyond his neighbourhood.

He said: "I would love for someone to continue this work in other neighbourhoods. Really, anyone can do this."

Keep up the good work, Dad LAD.

UOKM8? is a campaign by LADbible, featuring films and stories that provide advice and inspiration on mental health. Explore more here and don't suffer in silence. Let's talk mental health.

Featured Image Credit: Colby Wallace

Topics: Inspirational, UOKM8?, US News, Health