Donate Today to Connect Youth at Risk for Suicide with Life Saving Mental Health Treatment!
May 3, 2021, 9:14 AM | Updated: Mar 23, 2024, 8:33 am
98.5 KYGO is partnering with Second Wind Fund Youth Suicide Prevention for the month of May, Mental Health Awareness Month. Second Wind Fund provides expedited access to vital mental health treatment for Colorado youth who are at risk for suicide.
By making a donation below, YOU can make a difference and help to provide access to life-saving mental health treatment for Colorado children and teens who are at risk for suicide.
Second Wind Fund was founded in 2002 with the belief that no youth should be denied mental health treatment just because they cannot afford therapy. Their exclusive program focus is to ensure that children and youth, 19 years and younger and at risk for suicide, are connected to professional, specialized mental health counseling.
Click here for more information on Second Wind Fund Youth Suicide Prevention and to access a list of Crisis Help Lines and additional resources.
Facts & Info:
Suicide is the leading cause of death for youth in Colorado!
Over the past year, many youth in Colorado have faced stressors which may increase their risk of suicide. Data indicates that rates of anxiety, depression and loneliness among youth have increased as a result of the global pandemic. In addition, COVID-19 has led to mass layoffs, causing a loss in mental health coverage. It has also led to a surge in the purchase of firearms, which increases the risk of death by suicide. The psychological stress of recent current events is expected to disproportionately affect marginalized populations and may exacerbate preexisting mental health issues in youth.
SWF believes in the power of therapy to provide a life-saving transformation in the life of a child or teenager. However, therapy can be prohibitively expensive and is often times a confusing process. SWF frequently receives calls from parents who are overwhelmed by the nature of having to choose adequate therapy for their child that is affordable. While the latest research on mental health can sometimes lag behind current trends, according to the 2019 Kids Count in Colorado Report, 34% of Colorado kids had parents who reported that their child’s current insurance was inadequate.
When it comes to financial aid for youth mental health services, resources are scarce. And where there is financial aid available, there is often an extensive wait list to access services, sometimes up to several months. Not only do our providers have the experience necessary to support a suicidal youth, our network can also see a child for their first appointment within seven days, sometimes even within 24 to 48 hours.
It is widely forecasted by mental health professionals, researchers and reporters that youth suicide will become a rising concern in Colorado over the coming years. Alongside the financial and emotional effects of the pandemic, lack of adequate and affordable mental health services in Colorado combined with the prevalence of youth suicide stresses the need for SWF’s services.
