City Park West Neighborhood Association

Colorado Link Project at East High School

New Project Launched to Save Kids Lives

- "Colorado Link" Project Launched at East High School in Denver; Utilizes
Teachers, Parents and Peers to Prevent Teen Suicide -


DENVER (Dec. 4, 2001) - Michael Auerbach knows a thing or two about
depression. In fact, the 17-year old East High School student became so
depressed that he thought about killing himself. And, he thought about it
all the time. If it weren’t for the intervention of his parents and friends,
Michael may not have been around to see the launch of an important program
aimed at reaching kids like Michael - kids who appear to be happy and
successful, but who hold a dark secret inside.

The Mental Health Association of Colorado, in partnership with Servicios de
la Raza, Urban Peak and the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, has
launched the Colorado Link Program, a three-year initiative to identify and
treat teen depression. Funded by Mile High United Way, The Colorado Trust
and the Wolf Foundation, Colorado Link capitalizes on the power of community
to prevent teen suicide and treat teen depression.

The three-tiered program utilizes educational presentations, confidential
depression screenings and treatment, if necessary. More importantly, the
program encourages the full support and participation of parents, teachers
and fellow students. East High School is the second Denver-area high school
taking part in the project. North High School launched the program Oct. 1.

Representatives from East High School, in collaboration with community-based
health and youth organizations, will begin by providing educational
presentations to parents, teachers and students about suicide and suicide
prevention. At East High School, students from the National Honors Society,
East High School Peer Mediators and the Yellow Ribbon Club completed a
special advanced youth leadership training to help facilitate the program.
In the weeks following each presentation, students will answer a short,
written questionnaire to screen for symptoms of depression, drug and alcohol
use, and suicidal behaviors.

“In 1995, Colorado ranked fifth in the nation for teen suicide, and trends
in Colorado show that adolescents are increasingly the victims and
perpetrators of violence,” said Renee Rivera, director of education for the
Mental Health Association of Colorado. “Because most suicides are preceded
by depression, we want to identify and help those teens before it’s too
late. Parents may be unaware that their child suffers from depression, or
they may be aware of a problem and not know what to do about it. The
Colorado Link Project offers parents a free, confidential and proactive way
to support their kids. And, through the participation of fellow students,
teachers and community leaders, we hope to get the message across that it’s
OK to ask for help.”

Depression screenings at East begin Dec. 12 and will continue throughout the
school year. Screenings are completely confidential and free to all
students -- but require parental consent. Consent forms were sent home in
students’ report cards, but also are available at the school clinic.
Students can return signed consent forms to the East High School Clinic.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than eight
percent of U.S. adolescents suffer from depression, which can lead to school
failure, alcohol or other drug use and suicide. According to the U.S.
Surgeon General, girls, children of color and children receiving care
through public service systems are even less likely to get the help they
need. The more parents, educators and health care providers know about
mental health, the more they can help teens reach their full potential.

For more information on the Colorado Link Project, teen suicide or
adolescent depression -- or to receive a copy of the parental consent form,
call (303) 377-3040 or visit www.mhacolorado.org