Speech and Testimony
County Executive Leggett’s Remarks at the BTheOne Campaign Launch
Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Circle
As prepared
Good morning. The world we live in today is much different from when I grew up.
As a parent and a grandparent, I know that teenagers today face many pressures - to do well in school, to fit in socially, to figure out what they want to do when they “grow up.”
It can be a very stressful period for many teens.
We are here today to launch our B-The-One campaign because we want teens and their friends, families and other adults in their lives know that help is available.
Suicide and substance abuse are not the answer.
We want the community to know that there are steps we can take to help that young person - we can betheone to ASK if they are in pain or need help; betheone to KEEP THEM SAFE; betheone to HELP; betheone to BE THERE; and betheone to help them CONNECT.
The awareness campaign that we are launching today has many parts to it.
We have a new website, BtheOne.org with information on suicide and substance abuse prevention information.
There are bus shelter ads that you will begin to see around the County. If you go to the movies, you may see an ad at your local theater.
You will see posters and flyers distributed throughout the community, in schools, recreation centers, libraries and other locations.
This effort would not be possible without the important collaboration of our school system and our nonprofit, mental health provider community.
Schools play a HUGE role in this effort, and I am pleased to see the steps they are taking to let students, parents and staff know how to help.
Our nonprofit partners – “Every Mind” and “Family Services” have been instrumental in planning this effort and will continue through their work to broadcast the message far and wide that: We can all BE THE ONE!
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Release ID: 17-111
October 19; 10 a.m.