Nearly one in five Colorado high school students reported they have seriously considered suicide, according to the latest survey data on the subject.
That startling statistic is what makes the work Colorado nonprofit Second Wind Fund does all the more important, said Anna Bishop, development director for the organization that connects Colorado youth under 20 who are at risk of suicide to accessible mental health care.
To access the organization’s services, parents or youth-serving professionals like school counselors fill out an online form on the Second Wind Fund website describing what the young person in their life is struggling with and what barriers to care they face.
“We really are looking for reasons to serve youth,” said Bishop, noting that a child doesn’t have to explicitly state they are suicidal to receive services. Past mental health problems, coming from a violent home or suddenly withdrawing from activities they’ve previously enjoyed can all be indicators that a young person needs mental health care.
Once Second Wind Fund receives a referral, staffers look it over within 48 hours and if they move forward with the referral, the organization provides a list of therapists best suited for the child’s needs, Bishop said.
Second Wind Funds works with a network of around 900 therapists across the state who range in expertise.
Once a child is connected with a therapist, the provider is expected to see the child within seven business days, Bishop said.
If a child’s family has financial constraints, Second Wind Fund covers the cost of 12 to 20 therapy sessions.
Last fiscal year, the organization managed 1,114 referrals and delivered more than 4,600 therapy sessions.
“The difference Second Wind Fund is making feels really tangible to me,” Bishop said. “As a parent, I can’t imagine being in a position where my child was struggling and I couldn’t get them the care they needed. We hear often from parents and people making referrals that we helped get them to a place of knowing what next steps are and having the resources to support their child through a difficult time.”
The organization, created in 2002 after four students at a Jefferson County high school died by suicide in a nine-month period, is branching out beyond the Front Range.
While telehealth is always an option for kids to connect with therapists, Bishop said Second Wind Fund is making an effort to conduct better outreach to rural parts of the state.
Second Wind Fund has zeroed in on Yuma County, working with local organizations that support youth to make their presence known. Bishop said the organization has been connecting with school counselors in the area and tabling at events to get the word out about its mission.
“We really try to be inclusive in our approach and if there is ever a question of whether a young person would be referred to us, we’re always available as a resource,” Bishop said. “Reach out to us if anybody has a young person in their life who they feel could benefit from our support.”
Second Wind Fund
Address: 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203
In operation since: 2002
Number of employees: 7
Number of volunteers: 50
Annual budget: $1,733,469
Number of clients served in 2023: 1,057
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