SPEA teaches teens to be the “first line of defense” in preventing suicide with its proven program, Recognizing Adolescent Depression and Suicide Prevention. Teens often come forward to SPEA’s professional instructors to report symptoms of depressive illness or thoughts of suicide. You may be shocked to learn that one in five of our high school youth seriously consider suicide — the third cause of death for teens.
Morgan attends a local high school. She wrote the following to a SPEA instructor:
“Friends and family of mine have committed suicide…I have attempted suicide. I talk about it. I have depression, but my parents don’t think so. They just kind of blow it off and say it’s just a phase. Think I could use some help.” Morgan
SPEA’s professional instructor alerted Morgan’s school authorities, who were completely unaware of her depressive illness and thoughts of suicide.
There are a lot of teens like Morgan out there. Half of all lifetime cases of mental disorders begin by age 14. With your help, we can reach many more teens like Morgan in need of help.
Unfortunately, depressive illness, the main cause of suicide, is common. Thankfully, most teens respond very favorably to treatment, especially if their depression is identified early. That’s where SPEA comes in. I hope that you will help us reach our Saving Teen Lives Campaign goal of $65,000 by December 31. Teens with healthy minds can live healthy, productive lives!