NATCHEZ — A group of National Guard soldiers were being counseled on what it takes to go beyond the yellow ribbon this week.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is a Mississippi National Guard program thatteaches soldiers what it takes to prepare for deployment, how to handle service and how to make the transition upon return.

Retired Chaplain Bobby Cook said the program was being worked Thursday and Friday at the Natchez Convention Center for the 155 Combined Arms Battalion, which is about to deploy to Iraq.

Cook said the program is not just for the soldiers, but it also includes their families.

“We provide resources that all soldiers and their wives can reach out to when soldiers are deployed,” he said. “It’s a total overall preparation of the family.”

He said a lot of it has to do with mental preparation for before, during and after deployment.

“We have segments on suicide, suicide prevention, recognition of signs for suicide,” Cook said. “We pretty much covered everything.”

Families are also pointed to resources such as veterans’ centers, health insurance programs and financial counseling.

Cook said the program goes around to different cities in Mississippi to counsel the different units — from the Gulf Coast to Jackson and Tupelo.