Second Wind Fund's Role in Preventing Youth Suicide Through Affiliates

In conjunction with most state Offices of Suicide Prevention, it is recommended that a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention be pursued as the best means for reducing suicide prevention, including:

• outreach to at-risk individuals
• gatekeeper education
• effective response to those in suicide crisis
• provision of effective mental health services to at-risk individuals and attempt survivors
• education of the community about suicide prevention strategies

As a fund that only addresses affordable access to treatment for at-risk youth, SWF and its Affiliate Programs are not in theselves a comprehensive program. However, SWF Affiliates fulfill a key need for one discreet age group. As we expand our program, we look forward to working with other private and government groups to ensure that every community is covered by the type of comprehensive program recently envisioned by authorities on the subject.

The information on this page has been adapted from the following sources:

• American Association of Suicidology website: “Youth Suicide Fact Sheet”

• American Association of Suicidology website: “Some Facts About Suicide in the U.S.A.”

• American Association of Suicidology website: “Understanding and Helping the Individual”

• State of Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention. Recent data provided by the Office of Suicide Prevention via correspondence.

• The Colorado Trust, “Suicide in Colorado.”

• State of Colorado Suicide Prevention and Intervention Plan, The Report of the Governor’s Suicide Prevention Advisory Commission. November 1998.