Your Presence Matters. Your Connection Matters. You Matter.
YOU MATTER TO KLAMATH
Suicide prevention starts long before a moment of crisis. It starts with connection, conversation, and a community that knows how to show up for one another.
What is you matter to klamath all about?
You Matter to Klamath began in 2018 when Klamath Basin Behavioral Health brought local organizations together around one deeply important goal: preventing suicide and supporting healing throughout Klamath County.
What began as a youth-focused response has grown into a community-wide coalition of more than 15 local agencies and organizations working together to strengthen prevention, improve how we respond when someone is at risk, and support healing after a loss.
Because suicide prevention is bigger than any one organization. It takes schools, healthcare providers, community partners, families, neighbors, and people willing to show up for one another.
the 3 Pillars
Suicide prevention is more than responding in a moment of crisis. You Matter to Klamath works across the full continuum, from building awareness and connection before a crisis happens to strengthening our community’s response and supporting healing after a loss.
1
Prevention
Start the conversation before a crisis.
Through public awareness, community education, free trainings, youth-led messaging, and accessible resources, we’re helping more people recognize the signs, talk openly about mental health, and know where to turn for support.
2
Intervention
Know how to respond when someone needs help.
We work across schools, healthcare, behavioral health, and community organizations to strengthen early identification, equip frontline workers, and create clearer pathways to support when someone may be at risk.
3
Postvention
Support healing after a loss.
Our work doesn’t end after a crisis. You Matter to Klamath helps coordinate compassionate, safe responses following a suicide, with resources and support for families, peers, professionals, schools, and the wider community.
Small Actions & Real Impact
Suicide prevention belongs to all of us. You don’t need to work in behavioral health to make a difference. There are practical ways to become more prepared, help build awareness, and strengthen connection throughout our community.
Get Trained
Learn how to recognize warning signs, start a conversation, and help connect someone with support.
Share the Message
Put trusted suicide prevention information into the hands of friends, families, schools, workplaces, and community organizations.
Show Up
Take part in local events, outreach, awareness campaigns, and other opportunities to strengthen connection across Klamath County.
Stay Connected
Follow You Matter to Klamath for prevention resources, community updates, events, and ways to get involved.
LEADING WITH YOUTH VOICES
Their Message. Their Voice.
Young people have been part of You Matter to Klamath from the beginning. Each year, the Youth Suicide Prevention Video Contest invites students across the Klamath Basin to create peer-to-peer messages centered on hope, connection, safe messaging, and knowing where to turn for help.
Their voices can reach other young people in a way adults simply can’t.
2024
1st Place
"You Have the Power to Save a Life"
Original video written and produced by Maya Fitzroy, junior at Henley High School.
2024
2nd Place
"Don't make more ghosts"
2024
3rd Place
"Miles"
Original video written and produced by Emily Wiley, senior at Klamath Union High School.
TRAINING + EDUCATION
Learn What to Do When It Matters
One of the most meaningful ways to take part in suicide prevention is to learn how to recognize when someone may be struggling and what to do next.
You Matter to Klamath helps bring suicide prevention education and training to schools, workplaces, organizations, professionals, and community members throughout Klamath County.
The coalition’s work has included:
QPR
Question, Persuade, Refer training helps people learn how to recognize warning signs, ask directly about suicide, and connect someone with appropriate support.
Asist
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training provides more in-depth skills for helping someone who may be at immediate risk.
Connect
Training focused on strengthening community response, including how organizations and communities respond following a suicide.
Sometimes making a difference is as simple as making sure the right information is available when someone needs it.
You Matter to Klamath has created resources for homes, schools, workplaces, clinics, community organizations, and other everyday spaces. They’re free to download, print, share, and distribute.
- English
- Spanish
- Tribal Community
- English
- Spanish
Klamath County’s response guide for schools and agencies following a youth suicide.
Download Here.
- Contest Flyer
- Judging Rubric
- Media Release
- Safe Messaging Guidelines
- Contest Rules
Prevention Should Reach Everyone
Youth + families
Older adults
Tribal communities
LGBTQ+ youth + adults
Men
Agricultural + caregiving communities
The coalition also works alongside schools, healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, and other community partners to strengthen the systems people rely on when they need support.
If you’re worried about yourself or someone you care about, reaching out is more important than knowing exactly what to say or what kind of help is needed.
YOU MATTER TO KLAMATH
Connection Starts With Us.
A conversation. A shared resource. A training. Checking in on someone. Showing up for your community. There are many ways to be part of building a Klamath Basin where more people feel seen, supported, and connected.
Share a message, attend a training, start a conversation, and follow us on social media to spread awareness.
Hope grows through connection, through conversation, and through the simple act of showing someone they matter.