Carson J Spencer Foundation

THE CARSON J SPENCER FOUNDATION IS A COLORADO NONPROFIT, ESTABLISHED IN 2005. WE LEAD INNOVATION IN SUICIDE PREVENTION.OUR VISION: WE ENVISION A WORLD WHERE LEADERS AND COMMUNITIES ARE COMMITTED TO SUSTAINING A PASSION FOR LIVING.OUR MISSION: WE ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION TO MAKE SUICIDE PREVENTION A HEALTH AND SAFETY PRIORITY. WE SUSTAIN A PASSION FOR LIVING BY:--DELIVERING INNOVATIVE AND EFFECTIVE SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR WORKING-AGED PEOPLE--COACHING YOUNG LEADERS TO DEVELOP SOCIAL ENTERPRISES FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION AND SUICIDE PREVENTION--SUPPORTING PEOPLE BEREAVED BY SUICIDE

WORKING MINDS: SUICIDE PREVENTION IN THE WORKPLACE (WORKINGMINDS.ORG)WORKING MINDS IS A COMPREHENSIVE AND SUSTAINED APPROACH TO SUICIDE PREVENTION IN THE WORKPLACE. COLLABORATIVELY, WE WORK WITH INDUSTRIES AND COMPANIES TO BUILD STRATEGY, ENHANCE COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION, ENGAGE LEADERSHIP, IMPROVE POLICY AND CREATE SKILL-BUILDING TRAINING TO PREVENT SUICIDE. OUR GOALS ARE TO HELP AGENCIES BUILD PROTECTIVE FACTORS, TO INTERVENE EFFECTIVELY WHEN SOMEONE IS AT RISK AND TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY IN THE AFTERMATH OF A SUICIDE CRISIS. OUR WORKING MINDS TOOLKIT IS ON THE NATIONAL BEST PRACTICE REGISTRY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION AND IS DESIGNED TO HELP MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS IDENTIFY EMPLOYEES AT RISK FOR SUICIDE, REFER THEM TO APPROPRIATE CARE, AND PROVIDE SAFE AND COMPASSIONATE POSTVENTIONABOUT MAN THERAPY: A DIGITAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR MEN (WWW.MANTHERAPY.ORG)IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CACTUS AND COLORADO'S OFFICE OF SUICIDE PREVENTION, THE MAN THERAPY PROGRAM USES HUMOR AND MEDIA TO CONNECT MEN AND THEIR FAMILIES TO FACTS, RESOURCES, AND HELP IN GRAPPLING WITH ONGOING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS.MEN COMPLETE AND "18-POINT HEAD INSPECTION" TO ASSESS LEVELS OF ANGER, DEPRESSION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ANXIETY AND ARE THEN LINKED TO AN ACTION PLAN FOR RECOVERY.

THE FIRE WITHIN: YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS PREVENTING SUICIDEWE CULTIVATE YOUTH COMMUNITY LEADERS THROUGH BUSINESS COMPETITION AND CHALLENGE TEENAGERS TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. AFTER BEING IN THIS PROGRAM FOR A YEAR, YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS DEVELOP MARKET-BASED STRATEGIES TO PREVENT SUICIDE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THEY LEARN TO THINK INNOVATIVELY AND ENTREPRENEURIALLY IN ORDER TO SOLVE SOCIAL ISSUES; GAIN THE MENTAL RESILIENCY TO COPE POSITIVELY WITH CHALLENGE, STRESS AND ADVERSITY; AND EMBRACE THEIR ROLES AS FUTURE LEADERS. EACH YEAR WE ARE IN 35-50 SCHOOLS IN COLORADO AND WE ARE EXPANDING NATIONALLY.

ABOUT ICARE: RESPONDING TO THE AFTERMATH OF SUICIDE CRISES WE SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, WORKPLACES, AND FAITH COMMUNITIES IN THE AFTERMATH OF A SUICIDE BY OFFERING THEM GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES. OUR ICARE PACKAGES PROVIDE PEOPLE WHO LOST A LOVED ONE TO SUICIDE WITH "GIFTS OF COMPASSION" FILLED WITH AGE-APPROPRIATE GRIEF SUPPORT TOOLS, COMMUNITY REFERRALS AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL TO HELP THEM HEAL.