Saturday, September 15, 2007 - Lakewood was a glow this past Saturday night, during a candlelight celebration commemorating 702 prevented teen suicides in the Denver-metro area. Denver 's Second Wind Fund lit candles to celebrate the number of youth who have sought help from its suicide prevention program. A group of local teen ambassadors led the community in lighting a candle for each of their peers who have been brave enough to seek help. Regis University Senior Molly Fortune, one of Second Wind's teen ambassadors, speaks out about teen mental health issues, "Suicide is preventable. This candlelight celebration shows that kids with suicidal thoughts, who get the counseling they need, can learn how to deal with life's ups and downs."

Fellow teen ambassador and Columbine High student Sarah Hoffner said, "As teens we face different pressures every day and some are difficult to cope with. That's why people my age need a place where we can get real help when we need it."

The Second Wind Fund pays for counseling sessions for uninsured and underinsured youth, ages 19 and under, who are at risk for suicide. Licensed mental health professionals, in virtually every Denver neighborhood, donate their time at reduced costs. The program has been used as a resource by 200 local schools. "Everyone counts and it is important to help those who cannot afford to get help," said teen ambassador Sosi Papazian who attends Lakewood High School .

The candlelight celebration is the prelude to Second Wind's marquee event, an annual walk/run/ride fundraiser, to take place this Sunday, September 23 rd. Teen ambassador Kevin Bodkin believes, "We can change the statistics by shedding light on this issue and hopefully we'll inspire people to come out and walk, run or ride with us on Sunday. Every dollar we raise means someone else from our generation gets the help they need."

Bodkin is a senior at Green Mountain High School where four students took their own lives in the 2001-2002 school year. Though Bodkin did not attend GMHS then, he has been involved as a youth volunteer since Second Wind started in 2002 as a community response to stopping teen suicides.

"Our walk/run/ride has become the largest teen suicide fundraiser in the country," said Jeff Lamontagne, co-founder and executive director of Second Wind. "This issue hit a nerve in the Lakewood/Green Mountain area and we're finding teen suicide is an important issue across Denver ."

"By rallying the community at events like our Candlelight Celebration or a fun event like our walk/run/ride," stated teen ambassador Lexy Hall, "we hope to create a more relaxed environment to discuss the dark topic of teen suicide."

Teen mental health issues resonate throughout our state. Corporations, faith organizations and community leaders strongly support Second Wind. Colorado's first lady Jeannie Ritter will be at the walk/run/ride event to speak to participants about her signature issue: mental health. Joining Mrs. Ritter will be Lakewood Mayor Steve Burkholder, Jeffco Schools Superintendent Dr. Cindy Stevenson and other corporate and community leaders committed to improving teen mental health in Colorado.

Registration for Second Wind's sixth annual walk/run/ride begins at 9:30 this Sunday, September 23 rd at Green Mountain High School . An estimated 2,500 are expected to attend making this the largest teen suicide prevention event in the nation. At 12:30, A white dove release to remember those who were lost to suicide will kick off the walk/run/ride event. Participants can join a one-mile walk on a flat track or can join the three-mile, timed walk/run/ride. Free massages, great food, give-aways and music from local band Tempa and the Tantrums will follow. Interested participants may register in advance at www.thesecondwindfund.org or on location the day of the event.

Event Information

Second Wind Walk/Run/Ride:

Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 9:30 am registration; 12:30 memorial white-dove release will kick of the walk/run/ride event

Start at Green Mountain High School, 13175 W. Green Mountain Drive , Lakewood

Finish at Green Mountain Presbyterian Church, 12900 W. Alameda Parkway, Lakewood

Registration

Students are only $15 and adults are $30. Collecting pledges is also an option--if a participant collects at least $40 in pledges, the registration fee is waived. Participants receive a free T-shirt, goody bag, kids' activities, barbecue lunch, massages, entertainment, and the satisfaction of knowing that they've made a difference in preventing teen suicide in their own community.