Caring Card Initiative

Seeking Student Clubs and Organizations to Write Caring Cards in Marin!

Chief Marlon Washington, Probation

The Caring Card initiative is a youth led suicide prevention and health campaign designed to promote safety and wellbeing for those in distress. The cards have images of artwork created by youth with referral information and a caring and heart felt message inside. We are looking for student groups/organizations that would like to participate in handwriting these cards on an ongoing basis. Youth card-writers will receive sensitivity training to ensure messages are safe and appropriate. No identifying information is provided by the writer or the person receiving the card.

When people experiencing distress are hospitalized, the care transition period can be challenging. For starters, they may no longer be receiving care or will need to be accessing care after their discharge. Perhaps some have families to provide support and others may not, and some might have increased vulnerability or risk for suicide. The Caring Card initiative supports our neighbors, friends and loved ones with messages to support hope and recovery. We know that cultivating a sense of belonging and acceptance can go a long way towards helping a person in recovery feel that life is worth living. In a program similar to the Caring Card initiative, more than 80% of former psychiatric unit patients surveyed said receiving a "get well soon" card would have helped their recovery. Words of hope and encouragement can remind those at discharge or following a visit that they are not alone and recovery is possible.

If you’re interested in learning more and/or participating in any way, please contact Nancy Vernon at nvernon@marincounty.org.