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Welcome to the Ortus Foundation. Together, we create networks of change to support mental health and suicide prevention for youth and young adults.
At the Ortus Foundation, we’re uniting passionate advocates and exploring promising avenues to mental health. Together, we create networks of radical, lasting transformation by:
Championing mental health in schools
Building partnerships to support direct-service providers
Funding research in mental health and healing
Investing in early stage, for-profit mental health companies
The Ortus Foundation was founded in 2022, inspired by our lived experiences. “Ortus” is rooted in the Latin word for “rise,” captures our hope and determination for improvement and change in our mental health crisis.
The Ortus Foundation funds and promotes work that addresses the greatest needs in youth and young adult mental health, shows promise and is close to our hearts. These four focus areas guide our relationship-building, funding decisions and models of support.
Sabrina believes we have both the responsibility and ability to change the story of youth mental health in this country. This deep personal commitment was the catalyst that inspired Sabrina to create the Ortus Foundation in 2022.
In 2024, suicides among youth ages 10 to 18 in Colorado declined 55% from their peak in 2020, and are now at the lowest level since 2007.
The @cdphe attributed this hopeful news to the work of these statewide projects and partners:
• @sourcesofstrength
• The Colorado Follow-Up Project
• @secondwindco
• The Colorado Gun Shop Project
Colorado’s progress shows the deep value of evidence-based, culturally relevant programs that meet young people where they are. The @ortusfoundation continues to advocate for and fund these efforts, particularly in our Intermountain West frontier.
Read more about Colorado’s youth suicide prevention programs at the link in bio.
Visit ortusfoundation.org to learn more about our focus areas.
Talking about mental health and suicide reduces stigma and helps youth and young adults get the help they need.
The words we use matter, too. Speaking mindfully empowers young people to talk about their experiences and needs.
The @ortusfoundation is sharing some key terms to use — and to avoid — to help you start a conversation with the young people in your life.
🗨️ Say “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide.”
🧠 The word “committed” implies blame and shame
☀️ Saying “died by suicide” removes blame and shame from the conversation
Call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
@trevorproject is gathering data about the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ young people through its National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth.
The survey helps inform the ways we support LGBTQ+ young people, including:
• Policies
• Funding
• Mental health programs
That’s especially important in our Intermountain West frontier, where young people face high rates of mental health challenges.
Please help the @ortusfoundation reach as many young people as possible:
• Share this post within your network
• Urge young people between the ages of 13 and 24 to respond.
Use the link in bio to take or share the survey.
Mental health is fundamental to the college experience. Research shows students experiencing high levels of depressive symptoms are twice as likely to leave without graduating. This crisis inspires the @ortusfoundation to partner with national organizations to bring programming directly into schools and colleges.
The good news: Colleges and universities are showing up for student mental health. A recent report from the @chronicleofhighered asked faculty and administrators how their institution is supporting student retention and graduation rates.
📈 85% say their institution has added student mental health services
🌱 49% say student mental health services should be expanded to grow progress
🧠 About 10-30% of students take advantage of their school’s mental health services, according to Eisenberg
Read the full report at the link in bio to learn more about how colleges can support student mental health.
July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (or BIPOC Mental Health Month), a moment of heightened awareness for the unique, intersectional mental health challenges faced by racial and ethnic minorities. The month also honors Bebe Moore Campbell, an activist who shined a light on the unique struggles faced by people of color and advocated for their voices to be heard.
Racial and ethnic minorities can face higher barriers to mental health care due to language barriers, mistrust of medical professionals and a lack of access to culturally competent care.
25% of people who identify as two or more races reported a mental illness in the past year, followed by 23% of American Indian/Alaska Natives
Less than 40% of young people with mental health needs receive mental health services, and racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to have unmet mental health needs
Raising awareness alone won’t solve disparity issues in mental health support for BIPOC young people. But it’s the first step toward culturally aware, equitable support.
Get resources from @mentalhealthamerica for turning awareness into action at the link in bio.
Source: American Psychological Association
@americanpsychologicalassoc
Stay connected to @ortusfoundation and our work in youth and young adult mental health and suicide prevention. When you join our newsletter community, you receive bi-annual updates on:
• The latest news about our work and partnerships
• Data reports and novel research
• Resources for supporting youth and young adult mental health and suicide prevention
Sign up at the link in bio!
The @trevorproject 2025 The Mental Health and Experiences of LGBTQ+ Young People in the Rural U.S. shows that, compared to their non-rural peers, LGBTQ+ young people in rural areas:
• Are half as likely to say their community is supportive
• Have less access to mental health care
• Are more likely to have considered suicide
These numbers underscore the importance of listening to LGBTQ+ young people living in the Intermountain West frontier.
The Trevor Project’s National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth is now open. The Intermountain West consistently reports the lowest participation in national LGBTQ+ data collection. So, policies, funding and mental health programs may not reflect the needs of LGBTQ+ young people here.
Please take a few minutes to share this post and send the survey to someone between the ages of 13 and 24.
Visit the link in bio for the survey.
As part of #mentalhealthawarenessmonth💚 and beyond, @ortusfoundation is spotlighting our incredible partner organizations in the Intermountain West frontier.
About the Jed Foundation
Donna and Phil Satow founded @jedfoundation in 2000 in honor of their son, Jed, who they lost to suicide. Today, JED’s work centers on three focus areas:
💪 Equipping Individuals
✏️ Strengthening Schools
👥 Mobilizing Communities
This work helps students nationwide navigate the emotional challenges of high school and college, prepare for adulthood and thrive.
🤝 How we’re working together: Ortus is partnering with JED to expand their high school and district programming across the Intermountain West, with a focus on Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. Through a multi-year grant, Ortus is supporting the launch of two specialized roles within JED dedicated to increasing capacity, providing tailored technical assistance, and deepening regional engagement. This collaboration aims to strengthen suicide prevention infrastructure and equip more schools with evidence-based support for youth mental health. With suicide rates double the national norm for this region, we are helping build capacity for mental health support in schools and communities.
📍 Fast fact: More than 9,000 high schools, colleges and universities use JED resources to strengthen their mental health and suicide prevention safety nets for students.
💬 Help Ortus and JED shift from awareness to measurable impact.
🔁 Please reshare to help broaden the conversation and amplify JED’s important work!
#mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mhm #mentalhealthmonth #turnawarenessintoaction #youthmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #ortusfoundation #mentalhealthadvocate #suicideprevention #tetonvalley #idahomentalhealth #wyomingmentalhealth #coloradomentalhealth #montanamentalhealth #utahmentalhealth
June 6 is National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the U.S.
As an organization focused on the Intermountain West frontier, @ortusfoundation knows firearms are often a part of everyday life and the culture of a community. Secure storage of firearms supports responsible use and helps save lives.
“The essence of doing this work [of secure storage] is trying to help families create time and distance between a highly lethal means and a suicidal crisis.” —Dr. Kurt Michael, senior clinical director at @jedfoundation. Dr. Michael is both a father and a gun owner.
Guns and youth mental health:
📈 80% of youth ages 18 and under who died by suicide with a gun used a firearm owned by a family member.
🚫 Consistently securing firearms and supporting youth mental health both help reduce gun violence.
Visit the link in bio to:
🧠 Learn more about the link between lethal means restriction and suicide reduction
🔒 Secure lethal means: Learn how to safely store firearms to protect yourself and others
As part of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, @ortusfoundation is spotlighting our incredible partner organizations in the Intermountain West frontier.
About the Mental Health Coalition of Teton Valley:
The Coalition formed in the fall of 2009 following a tragic cluster suicide event that claimed the lives of 19 people.
Today, the Coalition, including Executive Director and Chief Joy Officer Sara McKeown White, is a diverse group of dedicated community members who share a common passion for enhancing mental wellness in Teton Valley. They are committed to providing the
community with the skills, resources and tools everyone needs to thrive.
🤝 How we’re working together: In 2025, the Ortus Foundation awarded a grant to MHCTV’s Community Counseling Fund, ensuring access to vital mental health services for more than 60 individuals in Teton County, Idaho, and Alta, Wyoming.
📍 Fast fact: Supporting one person can positively impact the lives of 10 others. MHCTV’s Community Counseling Fund reaches at least 700 people across the region.
💬 Help Ortus and MHCTV shift from awareness to measurable impact.
🔁 Please reshare to help broaden the conversation and amplify MHCTV’s important work!
Reducing access to lethal means — including firearms — is a crucial step to reducing suicide rates among our young people.
📍 Intermountain West states like Idaho, Montana and Wyoming have some of highest rates of firearm suicide among young people ages 10–24 (CDC data).
📊79% of youth ages 18 and under who died by suicide with a gun used a firearm owned by a family member (Everytown data).
🗨️ "Most people would help someone if they knew what to do.”
— Ryan Price, @afspnational
As a former firearms retailer, Ryan’s insight has shaped new, lifesaving tools. Here are 2 key ways you can help reduce access to lethal means:
1️⃣ Download the Suicide Prevention Toolkit
AFSP + @thenssf created a toolkit for firearms instructors and retailers.
📥 Link in bio
2️⃣ Take CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) Training
Learn how to safely store firearms, medications, and other lethal means.
🧠 Link in bio
Today’s educators are expected to teach children and guide their mental and behavioral health.
Increased pressure, responsibility and workloads are leading to teacher burnout.
It’s harder for districts to hire and retain passionate educators.
How can we better support educators?
Teton County School District in Jackson, WY, is taking proactive steps to address these issues:
🎤 Special programming
🎓 Greater access to teaching degrees out of high school
🏡 New housing
🍎 And more
▶️ In this video, Dr. Gillian Chapman, TCSD superintendent, tells educators and families that she understands the unique pressures in the world of education today. “It’s OK if students don’t do well on a standardized test,” she says. “It`s going to be OK.”
🔁 Reshare this post to spread awareness about how we can better support our educators.
💻 Get mental health resources for both students and educators at jedfoundation.org.
@ortusfoundation
@jedfoundation
@mentalhealthamerica
May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚
This year’s theme — #TurnAwarenessIntoAction — hits close to home.
At @ortusfoundation, we’re all-in for youth mental health in the Intermountain West: Wyoming. Utah. Colorado. Idaho. Montana.
This region is called the “suicide belt, and our teens face some of the highest suicide rates in the country.
📊 In Wyoming, suicide takes twice as many young lives as the national average.
🎥 In this video, we show why we’re focused here — and what action looks like.
🙌 Help us grow this movement.
🌀 Share this post and tag someone who cares.
Together, we can save lives.
Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week! From teachers and principals to school food professionals and custodial staff, it truly takes a village to educate our children.
As education expert Dr. Tim Dohrer notes, “It is harder to be a teacher than it was 10 years ago.”
Dr. Dohrer and Dr. Thomas Golebiewski’s book, "The Schools We Need Now," advocates for a student-centered, emotionally supportive approach to education that also prioritizes the well-being of school staff and fosters equity, connection, and compassion.
Take time out this week to thank the educational professionals who support your child’s learning and wellbeing.
@tdohrer
@NEAToday
@Ortusfoundation kicked off #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth the best way we know how — by advocating for youth and young adults.
On May 1, Program Director Marcy Madigan (@mteodoro1) joined representatives from @AFSPnational, @TheDefensiveLine and other likeminded organizations for @NamiTexas Capitol Day in Austin.
Together, they officially swore in Mental Health Awareness Month at the Texas Capitol. The group also met with state representatives to advocate for mental health bills, including a Texas trust fund for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Thursday’s actions were an energizing reminder of our “why” — creating change and hope for youth and young adult mental health and suicide prevention. Visit ortusfoundation.org to learn more about our work.
Join @afspnational and @afsp.wyoming on May 3 at the @uofwyoming for an Out of the Darkness Campus Walk in Laramie, WY.
Out of the Darkness walks empower students and communities while raising awareness and funds in the fight against suicide — the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24.
👉 Register. Donate. Spread the word. Every step makes a difference.
Get more information and sign up using the link in bio.
