Why We Do It
- Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among 16-24 year olds in the United States.
- 2 is the number of students in the average class who will attempt suicide this year.
In the average American High School Classroom of 30 students over the past 12 months, 7 of the students will have had extended periods of hopelessness, 4 will have seriously contemplated suicide with 3 having made a plan and 2 having made a suicide attempt.
- Everyone experiences tough times in their life – it’s a normal process. For some, the pressures and stressors are more than what is normal.
- Our mission is to inspire young Americans to lead happier lives.
- Through Reach Out, we can bridge the gap between support services and the teens and young adults who need but cannot access them.
- Most young people who experience tough times are unprepared and have limited support.
- Three-quarters of troubled do not seek help from a mental health professional, often because of societal stigma, cultural barriers, a mistrust of the system, and limited insurance coverage.
1 Adapted from the 2007, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Youth Risk Behavior Survey up arrow
