Suicide Prevention Starts With Trust and Connection. This InvenTORY Conversation Talks Youth Mental Health
A recent segment of Colorado & Company on 9NEWS brought together three Colorado organizations working to prevent suicide and support the mental health of young people. Host Tory Shulman spoke with Lorez Meinhold of Caring for Denver, Carolyn of Second Wind Fund, and Tessa of Upstream about the unique challenges facing Colorado youth and the importance of reaching young people before they reach a crisis.
The conversation explored why youth mental health support must meet young people where they are, recognizing the pressures they face from school, social media, isolation, financial struggles, and more. Tessa highlighted Upstream’s work helping students build coping skills and normalize conversations about mental health in schools, while Carolyn discussed how Second Wind Fund helps young people overcome barriers to accessing therapists who can meet their specific needs.
All three guests emphasized that trust and connection are essential to suicide prevention. Whether through therapy, peer support, creative outlets, or relationships with trusted adults, creating spaces where young people feel heard, supported, and not judged can help them reach out for help when they need it most.