by BrendaL-20, 1 January 2009

Most of us have uttered the words.

Maybe in a moment of mock hopelessness. Maybe even in a moment of true frustration. How many among us have despairingly exclaimed, “I could just kill myself” or “I wish I were dead”?

The thing is, not all of us have the luxury of uttering those words casually. For too many individuals out there, suicide is not a casual joke.

As for the cold hard facts, each year approximately one million people in the world die by suicide. This toll is higher than the total number of world deaths each year from war and homicide combined. In the United States alone, it is estimated that one person takes his or her life every sixteen minutes.

* * * * *

Jenna Machado was only in middle school when her 20 year-old cousin, Nicole, committed suicide in 2003. Like many others Machado looked for a way to cope with her loss and prevent the same tragedy from affecting others. Forming Colie’s Closet, in her cousin’s name, Machado created a unique organization that is composed of teenagers and young adults who work together to increase the understanding and treatment of depression as well as the prevention of suicide. Trained “peer educators” are send to Boulder Valley schools to teach about signs of depression and how to get help. As Machado has said, “It’s easier to open up with someone your own age than with an adult.”

Colie’s Closet raises money by selling gently used clothing and uses those proceeds to provide education and depression treatment locally. In three years, Colie’s Closet raised $13,000 to pay for counseling for teens who otherwise could not afford it.

Machado’s organization has made a positive impact on her community, and fellow teens have told her how Colie’s Closet played a role in encouraging them or their friends to seek help after hearing presentations from peer educators.

Now in college, Machado continues her work with Colie’s Closet and is making plans to start a similar program in Minnesota.

* * * * *

Jenna Machado’s efforts to address an issue that touches the lives of so many around the world puts a smile, if perhaps a sad smile, on my face.

Even a pessimist Grinch like me can see that it is through the efforts of strong and dedicated individuals like Machado that positive change can be affected throughout a community.

Bravo.

Tweet

Colie's Closet Website News Broadcast on Colie's Closet