Second Wind Fund

Second Wind Fund (SWF) is a nonprofit youth suicide prevention organization based in Denver, Colorado, United States. It provides access to professional counseling services for children and youth aged 19 and under who are at risk of suicide and face financial or social barriers to treatment.^[1]

Logo of Second Wind Fund

Since its founding in 2002, Second Wind Fund has connected thousands of youth to licensed therapists across Colorado. The organization reports that over 7,000 young people have been referred from approximately 400 schools and community agencies in more than 30 counties statewide.^[2]

Mission and activities

Unlike other suicide prevention organizations that focus primarily on education and awareness, Second Wind Fund provides direct access to therapy for at-risk children and youth.^[2] Referrals are typically made by school mental health professionals such as counselors, social workers, or psychologists. Home-schooled youth or those no longer attending school are also eligible for referral.

If a referred youth is determined to be at risk of suicide and lacks adequate insurance or the means to pay for care, the Fund covers the cost of therapy for up to 12 individual sessions.^[1] The organization emphasizes the importance of open, honest communication about suicide to reduce stigma and promote mental health awareness in communities across Colorado.

History

Second Wind Fund was founded in 2002 in response to a series of youth suicides in Jefferson County, Colorado.^[3] It is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with EIN 73-1701536 and operates statewide.^[4] In 2024, Second Wind Fund relocated its headquarters to Colorado’s Health Capitol in Denver to collaborate more closely with other health-focused organizations.^[5]

Governance and funding

According to filings with the IRS, the organization reported annual revenue of approximately US$1.6 million in 2024.^[4] Second Wind Fund is governed by a board of directors and led by an executive director based in Denver.^[3]

See also

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• Suicide Prevention Action Network USA