Carson J Spencer Foundation

Innovation in suicide prevention.
The Carson J Spencer Foundation is a Colorado nonprofit, established in 2005. Our mission: Elevating 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

Testimonials

"We all know someone who has either attempted suicide or has lost their lives to a suicide attempt. We need to support organizations like the Carson J. Spencer Foundation because they stand in the gap when the rest of us are going about our daily lives-the busyness of our lives. We forget that someone has to stop long enough to hear the pain of those who are calling out for help…The Carson J Spencer Foundation does just that, and the more we can support them the more we can have the resources in the community to reach those who are in pain." -Denver Mayor Michael Hancock
"If we can prevent one suicide this year through our participation with the Carson J. Spencer Foundation it's worth it…One employee in particular called me and said that the work we did with the Carson J Spencer Foundation made a difference. They were on medication that wasn't working for them, and they had suicidal thoughts…Well, I saw that individual at our company picnic last weekend with his two young kids and his wife. He's alive, and that makes a difference." -Jon Kinning Chief Operating Officer of RK Mechanical
"I think that the work the Carson J Spencer Foundation does is absolutely phenomenal, they really are the catalyst to get people talking about suicide. That way, when you enter into what could be a scary topic, say suicide prevention, they make it just so easy, so comfortable, and really natural to talk about…If I could say one thing to other Chiefs of Departments, it would be to have the courage to broach the issue, have the courage to put yourself out there, and know that by engaging in the topic and putting yourself out there you're really working to preserve your members lives, and that's the greatest gift you could give any member of your department." -Chief Eric Tade of the Denver Fire Department
"What I want to tell other student leaders is just one person can make a difference - helping others and spreading the cause," -Mountain Vista FIRE Within student, Brenna Jensen.

"This 'outside the box' approach to youth suicide prevention builds leadership skills, connects local businesses with the young people in their communities, and promotes recovery. This creative program will support Riverside's efforts to reduce the impact of suicide and suicidal behaviors among youth in Massachusetts." - Larry Berkowitz, Director of the Riverside Trauma Center

"Our jobs, as law enforcement officers, often place us in the middle of highly traumatic situations and this can cause a lot increased emotional stress and trauma for officers…In addition to making sure our officers are physically safe, we also need to make sure they are psychological safety." -IACP President Chief Yousry Zakhary

"Law Enforcement officers are the first line of defense in protecting our towns, cities and communities. We must be vigilant in helping them to protect their own health," -Doryn Chervin, Dr.P.H., Executive Secretary of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and Vice President and Senior Scientist in the Education Development Center, Inc.'s Health and Human Development Division.

"Several months ago our department experienced a sudden and tragic loss of a co-worker, friend, and firefighter. In a career where we see loss of life on a regular basis, the acute loss of someone close, especially by suicide brings forth emotions most firefighters internalize and do not want to face. Rather than to sweep it under rug, my goal to face it head on and develop the best resource that our firefighters can access to prevent any future suicides. Our loss is painful, and we will continue our effort to safeguard this never happens again." -Derrick Delgado, President of Firefighters Incorporated for Racial Equality

"Experiencing divorce at the age of 33, then watching seven of my closest male friends go through it too, led me to a question so many things...