NAMPA — Canyon County first responders have an encouraging message for local youth and the public.
Vehicles from eight first responder entities congregated at Ridgevue High School in Nampa on Monday to debut new decals promoting 988, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
“Tomorrow needs you!” read the decals, which are placed on the backs and sides of emergency vehicles. “For help and hope, call or text 988 / National Suicide Prevention Hotline.”
Agencies with vehicles displaying the new stickers are the Caldwell Fire Department, Caldwell Police Department, Canyon County Paramedics, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, Meridian Fire Department, Middleton Star Fire District, Nampa Police Department and Nampa Fire District.
Brown Bus company, a local company whose work includes busing for school districts, will also be displaying the decals.
The event also kicked off 2C Kids Week, running April 8-12. This year, activities focus on access to the 988 hotline, as well as identifying trusted adults youth can talk to for support, according to a press release from the city of Nampa about the events.
Ridgevue students observed the vehicles and listened to remarks from first responder staff during a scheduled break. Many first responders present wore electric lime green capes with the phrase “hope is a superpower” written on the back — a theme of last year’s 2C Kids Week.
Nampa Police Lt. Jason Cantrell rallied the crowd with chants of “9-8-8!” The number is both for people who are in crisis, as well as to provide resources for those whose friends and family are in crisis, he said.
“What you do today matters, but more importantly, what you do tomorrow matters,” Cantrell said.
“This project isn’t just about placing decals on emergency vehicles,” said Sara Stear, a Canyon County Paramedics employee and co-founder of the Canyon County Paramedics Employee Foundation. “It’s about sending a message — a message of hope, resilience, and support. The phrase, “tomorrow needs you!” serves as a powerful reminder that each and every one of us is valued and irreplaceable. It’s a call to action, urging us to reach out for help and extend a helping hand to those in need.”
Stear and her coworkers banded together to create the Canyon County Paramedics Employee Foundation after witnessing an increase in mental health and suicide calls during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. Such calls deeply affect employees, she said.
“We knew that suicide prevention was going to be our main mission, and that we just really wanted to do something to contribute to the community,” Stear said.
The foundation runs a charity event to raise funds for youth suicide prevention; last year’s event helped raise money in part for the new 988 decals. This year’s event, a golf tournament, will be held on Aug. 26 at the River Club in Boise.
Canyon County Ambulance District Chief Michael Stowell said his employees, including Stear, frequently respond to suicides and attempted suicides. He said he has been impressed with the foundation’s efforts so far.
“This is our employees saying we see a need on duty; let’s do something,” even though they are not paid to do so, Stowell said. “It has taken off, and it’s exciting.”