Thousands of teens commit suicide each year, making it the second leading cause of death in the US for those aged 15 to 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here in the Bay Area, twenty-six percent of San Francisco students reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks, while 13 percent said they had "seriously considered" attempting suicide. Nine percent reported at least one attempt in that time period.
These statistics represent youth from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. This is a serious problem, and one we can't afford to ignore.
Edgewood staff can give youth like 15-year-old Olivia (name changed to protect her privacy), hope for the future. Olivia arrived at Edgewood Center for Children and Families in 2016 with heavy thoughts of suicide and emotional pain. Prior to Edgewood, Olivia had been hospitalized more than 20 times with acute health issues that included self-harming activities, depression, and outbursts directed to her family. It was then that medical care professionals referred her to us for help.
Through her 90 day program that included a dedicated therapist, and involved her family throughout the healing process, we were able to help Olivia identify her thoughts and feelings and express them in a healthy manner. This empowered her family, allowing them to have more compassion for her needs and feelings. Together with them and our staff at her side, Olivia made real progress. She is now back home living with her family and has started school again.
Edgewood is working every day to provide timely help for youth in crisis. Each year, we help thousands of youth who have been abused, neglected or are experiencing trauma, and depression. Youth deserve ongoing relationships with caring adults. They deserve to have access to life enhancing programs and character enrichment opportunities. Even more so, they deserve to have hope for the future. But we can't do it alone.
Help let these kids know that there are solutions. Lend your voice today, and show your support for Edgewood's work in transforming lives and restoring hope.
