The Devon C. Rubenstein Foundation (“DCRF”) www.dcrf.org, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was founded in 2018 with the goal of preventing suicide among teens.
In 2015, at the age of 20, Mitchell and Liz Rubenstein’s son, Devon, died by suicide. To honor his memory, they created a foundation in his name and work diligently towards the day when no young person sees suicide as an option.
In Maryland a person dies by suicide every fourteen (14) hours. In 2019, 18.8% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide and 8.9% attempted.
CDC experts predict mental health to be the next public health crisis after the pandemic.
DCRF formed a partnership with Our Minds Matter (“OMM”) www.ourmindsmatter.org in 2019 to bring their suicide prevention and mental wellness program to high schools in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Teenagers are at a formidable time in their life and it is crucial we take steps now to help our young who are suffering the cumulative effects of the pandemic. Students are reporting an increase in mental health concerns due to high levels of stress, depression and anxiety. Relationships with their peers are strained due to online learning leaving them socially disconnected. Teens rely on their peer network for friendship and validation. They are losing their sense of belonging and experiencing feelings of isolation, self-doubt and alienation, strong predictors of suicidal thoughts. This is where OMM clubs can come in to help.
OMM is a student-led, peer-to-peer club in which teens are trained and empowered to build social connectedness, facilitate help-seeking and pro-social skills, utilize self-care, and healthy habits, as well as spread awareness of mental health resources; thus, allowing students to gain pivotal protective factors from suicide. OMM works to instill holistic growth in students, so they are stronger not only mentally, but also as leaders and changemakers in their community. Teens struggle to speak up to adults when they are struggling. They may feel judged, ashamed or guilty. But there is a dialogue they understand among their peers which is a powerful connection.
DCRF has made great progress in ending the stigma surrounding mental health through its promotion of OMM clubs in MCPS. Through DCRF’s efforts, the next generation of mental health activist are building a better, more tolerant society.
