Suicide Prevention and Mental Wellness
Donation protected
UPDATE
Thank you for your generous donations!
We are urgently seeking further donations. We need these funds now to provide appropriate support for students in the Edgemont community who are struggling with this horrible tragedy.
Unfortunately, we have learned that adolescents are more at risk of something called "suicide contagion". Suicide contagion refers to the process whereby one suicide or suicidal act within a school, community or geographic area increases the likelihood that others will attempt or die by suicide. This may be because young people identify more strongly with the actions of their peers, and because adolescence is a period of increased vulnerability to mental health problems, which in turn can increase the risk of suicide.
Please consider donating now to this crucial fund.
Thank you.
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*Please note this fundraiser is being organized by Salvatore Puccio, Dina Puccio-D'Amico and Jen Young in consultation with Zack's parents, Heidi Harker and Wade Angus.*
Zack Angus was a well-liked sophomore at Edgemont Senior High School who enjoyed being outdoors with his family, playing golf and hanging with his friends. He was active in his church, school and community. Zack loved motorcycles and Star Wars and was an avid skier and Minnesota Vikings fan. Zack was particularly fond of spending time in Idaho with his cousins and grandmother.
Zack took his own life on May 11, 2022.
Zack's family and closest friends are in the process of creating a suicide prevention and mental wellness organization in his memory. This organization will be an Edgemont branch of the Break The Hold program in Pleasantville, NY which was established by a family in 2018 following their son's passing from depression by suicide. 100% of the funds raised here will go towards our yet-to-be-named organization.
Recent studies examining depression and suicide among teens reveal the following troubling statistics:
- In the past 10 years, suicide rates among young people ages 10–17 have increased by more than 70 percent.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States among ages 15–24.
- Current teen suicidal stats show that 17 percent of high school students have seriously considered suicide, and 8 percent have made failed suicide attempts.
- More than half of the teens who try to commit suicide have never been given a mental health diagnosis.
Please help us raise the funds necessary to get our organization up and running. Stay tuned for information regarding future fundraising events (including a golf event, an Edgemont Panthers football event, and a "May the 4th Be with You" Star Wars themed event -- all things near and dear to Zack). There will also be educational programming and volunteer opportunities for students and community members.
Thank you!
Salvatore Puccio, Dina Puccio-D'Amico, and Jen Young
Thank you for your generous donations!
We are urgently seeking further donations. We need these funds now to provide appropriate support for students in the Edgemont community who are struggling with this horrible tragedy.
Unfortunately, we have learned that adolescents are more at risk of something called "suicide contagion". Suicide contagion refers to the process whereby one suicide or suicidal act within a school, community or geographic area increases the likelihood that others will attempt or die by suicide. This may be because young people identify more strongly with the actions of their peers, and because adolescence is a period of increased vulnerability to mental health problems, which in turn can increase the risk of suicide.
Please consider donating now to this crucial fund.
Thank you.
***********************************************************************************************************************************
*Please note this fundraiser is being organized by Salvatore Puccio, Dina Puccio-D'Amico and Jen Young in consultation with Zack's parents, Heidi Harker and Wade Angus.*
Zack Angus was a well-liked sophomore at Edgemont Senior High School who enjoyed being outdoors with his family, playing golf and hanging with his friends. He was active in his church, school and community. Zack loved motorcycles and Star Wars and was an avid skier and Minnesota Vikings fan. Zack was particularly fond of spending time in Idaho with his cousins and grandmother.
Zack took his own life on May 11, 2022.
Zack's family and closest friends are in the process of creating a suicide prevention and mental wellness organization in his memory. This organization will be an Edgemont branch of the Break The Hold program in Pleasantville, NY which was established by a family in 2018 following their son's passing from depression by suicide. 100% of the funds raised here will go towards our yet-to-be-named organization.
Recent studies examining depression and suicide among teens reveal the following troubling statistics:
- In the past 10 years, suicide rates among young people ages 10–17 have increased by more than 70 percent.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States among ages 15–24.
- Current teen suicidal stats show that 17 percent of high school students have seriously considered suicide, and 8 percent have made failed suicide attempts.
- More than half of the teens who try to commit suicide have never been given a mental health diagnosis.
Please help us raise the funds necessary to get our organization up and running. Stay tuned for information regarding future fundraising events (including a golf event, an Edgemont Panthers football event, and a "May the 4th Be with You" Star Wars themed event -- all things near and dear to Zack). There will also be educational programming and volunteer opportunities for students and community members.
Thank you!
Salvatore Puccio, Dina Puccio-D'Amico, and Jen Young
Co-organizers (2)
Jennifer Cain Young
Organizer
Scarsdale, NY
Dina Puccio-D’Amico
Co-organizer