2025 Year End Letter

12/1/2025

 Dear  Friends of SPSA,

As this year comes to a close, we hold close all impacted by suicide—those grieving a death, and those still fighting every day to stay here with us and have their story heard. We also hold close the many people who reached out this year to a loved one to say, “I’m here. You’re not alone.”

That moment of connection is powerful—and you helped make it possible.

 Hope Happened Here — Because of You

 With your support over the last year, SPSA was able to meet people wherever they were on their journey, whether they were struggling with suicidal thoughts, trying to stay safe after an attempt, seeking counseling, or simply looking for someone to listen during their times of grief or need.

 This year, your generosity made real progress possible. Because of you we were able to…

• Foster Stronger Crisis Response
  Adding a third line to our 988-call center meant more people in crisis reached a trained, caring human being at the moment they needed hope. Call takers—local and knowledgeable about community resources—helped us answer over 6,500 calls.

• Expand Clinical Care
  Our team grew—including a full-time bilingual therapist—supported individuals of all ages, each carrying a caseload of 15–19 clients. Many clients shared thoughts they had never spoken aloud before—things they once believed they faced alone but no longer had to.

“I was in the darkest time of my life when I first connected with SPSA through my school; completely turning my life around thanks to the counseling services provided to me. Instead of drowning in darkness, I rose, applying the techniques and advice given to me through weekly sessions. I never expected to live past fourteen, but here I am five years later; living a beautiful life I never imagined living. Chasing my dreams, experiencing love, sharing smiles with so many people.

 And for that I’m forever grateful.” – SPSA Client

• Provide More Therapy in Schools
  By placing therapists directly in schools, we reached students who might otherwise stay silent or face barriers to support. Each conversation helped interrupt despair and replace it with understanding.

• Expand Prevention Through Education
  We expanded our curriculum to grades 3–12, equipping thousands of children with tools to recognize emotions, seek help, and support peers. Offering programs in English and Spanish for children and adults helped bridge cultural and language gaps in mental-health education. Almost every time we present, as many as 3 to 5 children are flagged for follow-up evaluations for possible depression or suicidal thoughts.

• Sustain A Place to Heal in Aurora
  Our Aurora satellite office continued to grow in its second year, offering a welcoming, judgment-free space to anyone struggling—whether they needed counseling, crisis intervention, or ongoing support. By removing transportation barriers, we made it possible for clients to access care in the community where they live.

• Increase Spaces of Reflection and Healing
  At Stone Manor, our Memorial Garden and new semicolon rock garden offered comfort for loss survivors, and those struggling with suicide. The semicolon symbolizes a choice—the choice to live and thrive. It says, The story could have ended here, but it didn’t, we choose to continue. The semi-colon reflects courage, resilience, and the decision to continue writing their story.

While more than 49,000 lives were lost to suicide last year in the United States, countless others reached out for help.

Your support ensures that when someone takes that brave step, we at SPSA are there to answer.

Why Your Gift Today Matters

Every day, someone in our community:

• reaches out because they fear their own thoughts
• reaches out to ensure their loved one’s story is not forgotten
• returns to therapy determined to keep going
• survives because someone answered their call
• realizes that they don’t have to choose the path someone else chose
• learns their feelings are valid—and mental illness is treatable
• finds renewed hope after feeling lost in the dark

Your support allows SPSA to remain a lifeline for the grieving, the healing, the struggling, and the surviving.

Your generosity doesn’t just save lives ~
It restores hope.
It creates second chances.
It tells someone,

“Stay. You Matter. Your story isn’t over.”

As we enter the new year, we ask you to stand with us again. Your year-end gift directly supports crisis care, counseling, education, and survivor support.

From our Board, staff, hotline workers, and every person who felt less alone because of you:

Thank you. Your kindness changes lives.

Stephanie Weber, Executive Director