My journey with mental health started with my father who struggled with anxiety and depression. Now, as a mother of three young adults and knowing the struggles so many people live with, I wanted to get involved. Getting the right care at the right time is critical, yet many are not fortunate and continue to struggle: 1 in 5 kids are living with a diagnosable mental health illness but less than 50% will ever receive the appropriate treatment. Here are a few more sobering facts:
- Suicide is the leading cause of death for youth 10-24 years old in Colorado
- Over the last decade, Colorado lost 1,000 residential treatment beds for kids
- 29-42% turnover in the mental health workforce in our state is just one of the reasons why waitlists are running 6-12 months for outpatient services
- 44% of teens report feeling persistently sad or hopeless
- 226,000+ kids and teens in Colorado have documented diagnosable mental health conditions, yet only 22% receive professional care.
The long term effects of isolation caused by the pandemic and the social and emotional toll on our youth - our future - are devastating and continue to worsen.
Our Psyched To Climb team - 50+ riders strong - is the only team in the Courage Classic supporting pediatric mental health. I am asking you to consider a gift of $50, $100, $250, $1,000, $2500 to support mental health and my ride. Just click on the green DONATE NOW box at the top of this page. Join me to be part of a change!
To all of you who support my ride year after year, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this one of your philanthropic priorities! MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS! Thank you so very much for helping me and our Psyched To Climb team "brake" the stigma!
With deepest gratitude,
Lydia
