Second Wind Fund
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The Second Wind Fund is a teen suicide prevention program headquartered in Colorado, USA.
Second Wind provides professional counseling services for youth 19 and under who are uninsured or underinsured and at-risk for suicide. Over 1,200 youth have been referred from approximately 250 schools throughout Colorado. It is the only organization in the nation providing treatment services specifically for a clientele at-risk for suicide. Second Wind's provision of focused services means that youth referred through the program are seen within one week of a referral, can see their providers as often as they'd like, and for 20 sessions--all for free.
Second Wind was initiated by Green Mountain Presbyterian Church after a series of four suicides at neighboring Green Mountain High School in 2001-2002. [1] [2] [3] [4].
Second Wind works with licensed professional therapists who have significant experience working with youth at-risk for suicide. Typically, school counselors contact Second Wind and describe a situation in which a youth is struggling with suicidal thoughts, but is impeded from receiving mental health services because of inadequate insurance or family finances. Second Wind then pays for 8-20 counseling sessions per youth.
Schools (and other selected agencies) in the Denver metro area, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Grand Junction, Colorado are eligible to refer students through this program.
Second Wind raises nearly 100% of its money privately. Much of its funding is raised through its annual fundraiser, a walk/run/ride held in Lakewood, Colorado each September. The September 2007 event [5] was one of the largest suicide prevention events in the nation, with 2,600 people in attendance. Second Wind is also reliant upon grants from a variety of Colorado Foundations.[1]
The 7th Annual Second Wind Fund Walk/Run/Ride is now slated for Sunday, September 21, 2008. Over 3,000 are expected to be in attendance, including State Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Giving a lifeline to suicidal teenagers. By Electa Draper. The Denver Post
- ^ More News. By Susan Thornton. The Denver Post
- ^ Fighting the Tide of Youth Suicide. By Bill Gallo The Rocky Mountain News
- ^ Second Wind a Saving Grace. By Jeff Francis.
- ^ The Second Wind Fund 6th Annual Walk/Run Video
