The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program (YRSPP) began in September of 1994 after the suicide of seventeen-year-old Mike Emme. In the days following Mike's death, dozens of teenagers approached Mike's family asking what they could do. Mike's parents responded by saying, "Don't ever do this. Don't commit suicide. Reach out to someone and ask for help."

Kids took notes. "Its okay to ask for help," they wrote and it became the common theme. Thus, the Yellow Ribbon card was born. The Yellow Ribbon card carries the message that it is okay to ask for help. When a teen gives the card to someone it communicates they need help — they are suicidal. The card provides the recipient instructions on how to help the suicidal teen. It gives kids the power to say, "I don't really want to kill myself " — because most kids don't. The cards are distributed to students at school assemblies after a teen/youth suicide education and prevention workshop is conducted.

In 2000, the Riverside County EMS Agency Injury Prevention Program received a grant from the State EMS Authority to implement this program in Riverside County. The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program was conducted at five high schools, two middle schools and one alternative school, reaching over 4,000 students.