CAS 138T: Advocacy Project

My advocacy project is a continuity of the idea from my policy paper. The Brightline Train is the nation’s deadliest railway. Most of these deaths are the result of suicide. To reduce the amount of railway suicide it becomes important to create suitable ways to address the issue of suicide prevention.

 In terms of visibility, it is important to have a mode that can be easily be seen by those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts and those who are in immediate distress. The distribution will specifically take place in Brightline Train Stations and the communities surrounding train stations but with my partnership with the National Suicide Hotline, the posters can be displayed across the nation. I chose to work with the National Suicide Hotline because Brightline has worked with this organization in the past. In addition, the National Suicide Hotline connects individuals with the resources that they need. Starting at local levels, such as Brightline Train Stations will be a starting point for addressing the issue of suicide prevention. Putting posters in public spaces such as in train stations, restaurants, and in local businesses will hopefully start conversations about this topic.

 For one poster, I chose to address how it is common for Americans to avoid talking about how they truly feel. Our standard answer for when someone asks us “How are you?” is “I am okay” despite whether or not this may be true. When we allow these feelings to fester, they can become unbearable. Furthermore, this poster is meant to address people in immediate distress. This is meant to let people know that they are not alone, that there are people that are willing to talk to them.

 The second poster is meant to address teenagers and young adults. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in suicide among young adults. I have chosen to partner with Drake and the National Suicide Hotline for my nationwide poster campaign. The poster is modeled after Drake’s Hotline Bling Album Cover. Drake is a rapper that is universally known by young adult audiences. This poster easily identifiable with Drake’s album cover making it attention-grabbing for a younger audience. 

My aim for this project is to start conversations about the issue of suicide. Suicide affects the whole communities and should be addressed as a national issue. In American culture, it is common to avoid talking about suicide but, doing so allows the issue to continue.