The Ganley Foundation wraps up its second annual Suicide Prevention Series in South Florida.

This year Red Ribbon Week coincided with our Second Annual Fall Suicide Prevention Presentation Series which was held in South Florida on October 24-28, 2011. Red Ribbon Week is a time when schools arrange for an array of educational activities for their students about the dangers of substance abuse. Several schools in South Florida last week expanded their efforts to include the Ganley Foundation’s Suicide Prevention Presentations. Why? Because schools are acknowledging  more and more how mental health issues like depression can impact not only a child’s learning, but also their ability to make healthy decisions including those related to substance abuse. They have also witnessed how substance abuse issues in students can worsen mental health issues. The Ganley Foundation remains grateful that it has been able to continue providing these important services which remain well received by those schools we serve.  

Monday through Thursday student presentations were provided to Feinberg Fisher K-8 Center, Chapman Elementary School, Herbert Ammons Middle School, Nova Southeastern University, Devon Aire K-8 Center, Nautilus Middle School, and Shenandoah Middle School. These presentations included executive director, LMHC, and AAS Accredited School Suicide Prevention Specialist Grace Carricarte’s educational presentation regarding the importance of mental health, warning signs, and how to find help. Jordan Burnham also shared his amazing story of survival regarding his suicide attempt, physical healing, and mental recovery. On Friday, Carricarte provided Jane Roberts K-8 a staff training on mental health and suicide prevention for their faculty professional development day. The Ganley Foundation appreciates each school’s partnership which allowed us this week to reach over 4,000 students and 125 school staff members.

Please read below some of the positive feedback received last week:

One 12-year-old boy stated that, “I have a hard time with a lot of things--like trying to smile sometimes and feel happy, but I never heard before that it wasn’t my fault, that I wasn’t bad for it”.

A teacher shared “I struggled with depression/anxiety in my teens and now I’m seeing that my daughter does too and my son since my divorce from his father has had severe anger issues. I see warning signs in both of them. I’ve been afraid of help because I thought seeking it would confirm that we’re dysfunctional and that I messed up as a mother. Just wanted to tell you that during our break I called and made an appointment for us with a local counselor for next week”.

Another middle school girl stated that “Thank you for coming. No one ever cares. Didn’t know I could talk to my counselor until she said it today”.

Jordan received many thank you face book messages, but one made us all laugh “Jordan, this was the first school presentation that I actually  listened to the entire time. Just had to say thank you”.

A tearful 13-year-old girl who we met with after one presentation said she had attempted suicide before, saying “they keep making fun of me and the only way I could think to make it stop was to try again. Then you all came and it’s like you came to this school just to talk to me.” We met with her school counselor and mother. This young girl left with an appointment to see a youth counselor. We told her that she is not only courageous and brave, but that often incredible, sensitive, mature kids like her become targets and have a harder time getting through things because their beautiful qualities can sometimes make them more vulnerable. We told her never to change- this kind child walked out with her head high and a support system that had not existed prior to our services.

We know there are so many more individuals out there that we will never hear from whose lives we touched this week and in weeks prior. On their behalf, we thank our supporters and school partners for making our work possible.

For more information about our Trainings or Presentations, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .