A significant reduction in youth suicides has been reported in Tarrant County, Texas, with the 2024-2025 school year witnessing a drop of over 70% in suicides among K-12 students compared to previous years. This achievement is attributed to the initiatives spearheaded by the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation, which focuses on suicide prevention training and community support.
Matthew Vereecke, CEO of the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation, shared this encouraging news at a recent luncheon, stating, “We are making amazing progress. But the fight isn’t even close to being over.” The foundation has implemented comprehensive programs across 136 schools in the region, providing basic suicide prevention training for students and more extensive training for teachers and faculty. Additionally, these programs connect students to community mental health resources.
As the foundation’s success gains attention, other organizations are looking to adopt similar models. The Sam Asbury Foundation in Atlanta and the Matt Harbin Foundation in Austin are set to launch their initiatives within the next year, inspired by the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation’s effective strategies. Vereecke emphasized that while the mission remains focused on serving Tarrant County, sharing successful methods to combat suicide is crucial to helping other communities.
The Sam Asbury Foundation was founded by David Asbury in memory of his son, Sam, who died by suicide in February 2020. Asbury stated, “We wanted to bring attention to mental health and suicide … to hopefully use Sam’s great life to keep another person from hurting themselves.” The foundation has quickly gained traction, raising $140,000 through fundraising events, including an annual golf tournament.
In collaboration with the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation, the Sam Asbury Foundation hosted its first suicide prevention training session at the Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Georgia. Asbury reported positive feedback from school staff, who found the training to be informative and empowering. “It challenged common myths about suicide and left participants feeling equipped to help intervene in a time of crisis,” said Stephanie Johnston, executive director of the Sam Asbury Foundation.
Similarly, the Matt Harbin Foundation, established by Brett Harbin after the loss of his brother Matt to suicide in 2018, is eager to implement programs modeled after the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation. Harbin aims to create initiatives that promote mental health awareness and provide support to those in need. He has already begun discussions with local school districts about potential collaborations.
Despite the promising progress in Tarrant County, Vereecke acknowledges that the work is far from complete. The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation is currently active in nearly 160 schools and plans to extend its reach further. “Suicide doesn’t care about where you live,” he noted, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions that can address the issue across all communities.
The foundation is also exploring partnerships with faith-based organizations to reduce the number of students dropping out of school. Vereecke explained that many students face challenges accessing mental health resources, which contributes to their struggles. “Thinking about additional ways that we can bring those resources to bear is what we’re going to be spending our time doing over the next six months,” he stated.
The efforts in Tarrant County serve as a potentially transformative model for other areas grappling with similar challenges. By prioritizing mental health education and community engagement, these foundations aim to create lasting change and ultimately eliminate suicide among youth. As the landscape of mental health awareness continues to evolve, initiatives like those of the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation demonstrate the power of proactive measures in saving lives.
