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SAVE THE DATE

Second Wind Fund of El Paso and Teller Counties
will be hosting a
Youth Suicide Prevention Seminar
on Saturday, October 22nd
9:00 - 4:00 p.m.

SafeTALK training will be offered, panels, two award-winning documentaries and a luncheon with a featured speaker. 
More information to follow!

 

SafeTALK TRAINING RAISES FUNDS FOR NO-COST THERAPY

Thirty people from the El Paso and Teller Counties area attended the first SWFETC SafeTALK training on Colorado Gives! day Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at First Congregational’s The Dwelling Place.

The participants were a diverse bunch:

Urban Peak staffers
Salvation Army staffers
8 members of Falcon High School’s Peer Counseling group (with two counselors)
Members of First Congregational/SWFETC Board members/SWFETC therapists
Community members

John Genrich, well-known local pediatrician and suicide prevention activist, gave some introductory remarks about the alarmingly high rate of youth suicide in the El Paso and Teller Counties area. 

SWF Inc. Affiliate Coordinator Lori Hoffner gave the SafeTALK training and enjoyed the lively give-and-take that the very diverse participants provided. She showed a collage of photos of individuals representing different ages, races, and facial expressions.

“Who do you think is the most likely to have suicidal thoughts?” she asked the group.

“The older lady.” “The teenager "cause they have a higher suicide rate.” “The guy with the sad expression.”

The answer, of course, was that you can’t tell by looking at someone if they have suicidal ideation. 

Almost $1,000.00 was raised by the training to help the Second Wind Fund of EPT provide no-cost therapy to non- and under-insured youth at risk of suicide.

 

Purse Exchange

PurseThe Second Wind Fund of El Paso and Teller Counties (SWFETC) put the "fun" in "fundraiser" at their Purse Exchange at Perfect Angels Salon and Spa in Old Colorado City on Saturday, November 20th.

Board member Sarah Kendall opened her upscale salon to the gathering, and also obtained many luxury hair care products and services (massages, manicures, etc.) available at the raffle and Silent Auction. Board member Curt Wiedey made sure all the women in his family were there. It was fun to see women choose purses they'd probably not even consider if shopping!

Many thanks to:

Mollica's for their delicious antipasti platter and Bernideen's for their Key Lime tarts and to all our donors, silent auction item donors and purchasers, and Amber Marie, Janie and Heather of Perfect Angels. And of course: Sarah K. who made it all come together.

Over $800 was raised to benefit the Second Wind Fund ETC--way to go!

 

Help Resources

Help Resources

If you are having suicidal thoughts, feel you may hurt yourself, or are concerned that someone you know may be in danger of hurting himself or herself, you may:

1) Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255);

2) Call the National Hopeline Network at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433);

3) If Spanish-speaking, call the Kristin Brooks Hope Center Spanish suicide support line at 1-800 SUICIDA (1-800-784-2432);

4) If gay/questioning youth, call the Trevor Project at 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386);

5) In an emergency, call 911.

No hotline is a substitute for professional counseling. If you are depressed or thinking about hurting yourself, we strongly recommend that you seek counseling from a mental health professional.