Welcome to Life Foundation. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation dedicated to the fight against Depression and Suicide Prevention of Our Youth.
We are our brothers and sisters keeper. When our community falls we help it rise, when our community is alone we stand by it, when our community is darkened we do our best to shine a light.
Join us in our fight.
We have a very serious problem. Our youth are our future, and they are hurting. Depression and suicide rates are on the rise, especially in children and young adults. At 17.3%, Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10-24.
There were a total of 115 suicides or attempted suicides in 2018, a 44 percent increase from 2017. 2017 had 80 reported suicides or attempted suicides. The suicide rate in the entire Montgomery County has increased by 80 percent since 2011. Montgomery County has the highest rate of suicide in the state of Texas.
Much like a virus, Suicide is contagious. We need to act quickly to reverse this troubling trend in our community.
Adolescence is a time of change for teens. As their bodies, home lives, and even brain chemistries change, teens may have a hard time coping. Parental guidance is crucial during this period. Without it, a common case of the adolescent “blues” can develop into teen depression and possible drug abuse. Many teens turn to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate for depression.
Depression, and substance abuse go together so frequently that doctors have coined a term for it: dual diagnosis. The link between these conditions is a two-way street. They feed each other. One problem will often make the other worse, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).
Teens suffering from depression often appear sad or anxious, but that’s not always the case. Depressed teens might also lash out angrily at loved ones over seemingly insignificant things. Parents might feel unsure about whether their child is just “acting out” or suffering from depression. If a teen’s behavior drastically changes during adolescence, leading to self-harm, violence or drug abuse, they might be struggling with depression.
We are partnering with accomplished physiologists and psychiatrists in our area, and we will be providing educational seminars to parents, teachers, and care givers of children and young adults. These seminars will cover the signs to look for to identify when their children are going through depression, and how to help them. As parents or teachers, we cannot help if we do not know what to look for. These seminars will be free and open to all.
We want to give these children and young adults a place they can be around others going through a similar situation, so once per week, we will meet at DJonkins Sports Fitness Club. We will have a clinical psychologist on hand to speak one on one or to the group. Studies have shown the best way out of depression is exercise, so after the talk we will be taking part in a group exercise class or sporting event. Free and open to all.
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