MENU
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.
This World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded of the urgent need for mental health education and advocacy around the globe.
At the Ortus Foundation, we believe that focused, community-based solutions can make an enormous impact — especially in regions where challenges are most acute.
People living in the Intermountain West—Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Colorado—face unique mental health challenges and above-average suicide rates due in part to:
➡️ Frontier vastness and isolation
➡️ Limited mental health resources and persistent stigma
➡️ Lower oxygen levels, linked to depression
➡️ Wealth, cultural, and language inequalities, coupled with a lack of affordable housing
➡️ Limited broadband access that hinders telehealth
Across the region, many incredible organizations and partners are addressing these challenges with creativity and compassion. Their progress offers hope—and a glimpse of what’s possible when we work together toward a mentally healthier world.
If you’d like to connect with the boots-on-the-ground organizations making the biggest impact in the Intermountain West, reach out to the Ortus team—we’d be glad to make an introduction.
#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #worldmentalhealthday
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 “I’m here for you” instead of “What’s wrong with you?”
🧠 “What’s wrong with you?” feels judgmental and reinforces negative self-talk
☀️ Saying “I see you” or “I’m here for you” creates a safe, supportive space to talk about mental health.
Free 24/7 help is available if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Visit the links in bio to connect with resources.
New national data shows a decline in both major depressive episodes and suicide attempts among young people ages 12 to 25 from 2023 to 2024. Youth and young adults feel increasingly supported, safer, and more connected to hope and purpose.
According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from @samhsagov:
• Major depressive episodes over the past year among 12- to 17-year-olds fell from 20.8% in 2021 to 15.4% in 2024.
• Among young adults ages 18 to 25, major depressive episodes dropped from 19.3% to 15.9%.
• Suicide attempts by teens ages 12 to 17 dropped during the same period from 3.6% to 2.7%.
• Among young adults 18 to 25, suicide attempts fell from 2.8% to 2%.
These statistics highlight the success of targeted support and programs that focus on the real needs of our young people. And they inspire the @ortusfoundation team as we work with our partners toward a mentally healthier world.
Read the full report at the link in bio.
The Ortus Foundation is proud to join this year’s @clintonglobal unique working groups, where global voices come together to spark local change. Here’s to the next 20 years of impact. 💡🤝
#ortusfoundation #cgi2025 #youthmentalhealth
The @trevorproject National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth is coming to a close!
Data from this survey informs policies, funding and mental health programs that affect and support #lgbtqia youth across the country. That includes vulnerable young people in the Intermountain West, who are less likely to participate in national LGBTQ+ data collection.
Queer youth also are at greater risk for mental health struggles and suicide attempts, and the results of this survey are a crucial tool in providing support that meets their specific lived experiences.
The Trevor Project needs to hear from as many LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-24 as possible before the survey ends Sept. 30.
Here’s how you can help:
⬅️ Send the link below to others in your organization or community.
🌐 Share the National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth on your social accounts
❤️ Encourage the young people in your life to take the survey.
Please use and share the custom survey link found at our link in bio.
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 “lethal means reduction” instead of “gun control.”
🧠 “Lethal means” includes all instruments that can be used in an act of violence
☀️ “Gun control” is highly politicized; saying “lethal means reduction” turns the focus to people instead
Visit the link in bio for free for lethal means reduction resources.
Free 24/7 help is available if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support:
• Call 988
• Visit 988lifeline.org
• Text HOME or HOLA to 741741 to reach a live volunteer crisis counselor
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.
🗨️ Talk about a loved one lost to suicide — say their name, and tell their story
🧠 Ignoring death by suicide implies and perpetuates shame
☀️ Talking about your loved one honors their memory and helps you find support
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.
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
