From The Cause: The Second Wind Fund
In 2002, four students from Green Mountain High School in Jefferson County, Colorado, committed suicide in just a nine-month period of time. Not only did sadness run deep throughout the high school community, but also throughout the community at large. A local church, The Green Mountain Presbyterian Church (GMPC), knew something needed to be done in order to raise awareness around suicide prevention. That year, Jeff Lamontagne, a member of GMPC, turned the church's annual picnic into a walk/run in order to raise money to help the students of Green Mountain High School. Sixty-six people participated in the run that first year and a total of $4,000 was raised. Still, GMPC was not sure how the money should be used in order to help the students best.
After GMPC met with high school counselors, The Second Wind Fund was established to provide private care to uninsured or underinsured students who are at-risk for suicide. Because Colorado is ranked 36th in mental health care funding out of the 50 states, mental health care needs are not met with speed and many students are not receiving the care they need. With the money raised through the walk/run and other donations, The Second Wind Fund recruits licensed therapists to work with students at a reduced rate. Students get to see a provider within days for as often as they'd like up to 20 sessions.
Since it started in 2002, The Second Wind Fund walk/run has grown into the largest suicide prevention event in the nation. With 2,900 people in attendance in 2008, it has expanded to cover all schools in the Denver metro area. With over $1 million raised over the last six years, the fund has been able to provide care to over 1,200 students. The youth suicide rate for Colorado and the areas The Second Wind Fund serves is down and every youth that has been referred through the fund is living proof of its success.
The Second Wind Fund would like to expand its efforts nationwide because of its proven effectiveness. To learn more about The Second Wind Fund or donate please visit: http://thesecondwindfund.org