We love to celebrate our colleagues, and we love giving back to our community – so several years ago, BlueModus decided to combine these two loves. Each month, our Management Team selects two colleagues who shine and represent the values that make BlueModus a great place to work. These two colleagues select a charity, and BlueModus donates on their behalf.
This month, one of those colleagues is Matías Penela. He is one of our best Solution Leads and is responsible for creating the technical vision and leading the implementation for client projects. Matías gives 110% each day, is excellent with clients, and works incredibly hard to ensure his team is successful. Add that he is one of the kindest and most humble people you will ever meet, and you have a very special person and co-worker.
Recently, BlueModus made a $500 donation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) on behalf of Matías. This voluntary health organization gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education, and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. Established in 1987, AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies:
- Funding scientific research
- Educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention
- Advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention
- Supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide in our mission
Statistically, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2019, 47,511 Americans died by suicide. In 2019, there were an estimated 1.38 million suicide attempts in the United States. The AFSP works to provide awareness and resources to help those considering taking their own lives.
“My wife is a psychologist, so I hear first hand how important mental health is for people’s wellbeing. Unfortunately, just this past weekend, one of our nephews lost his battle to his mental illness. He was only 19 years old with a full life ahead of him,” shared Matías. “Foundations like AFSP help people with their challenges and help prevent tragedies. When the unthinkable happens, they are also there to help the grieving families. Their focus on mental health and raising awareness of its importance is something that I feel is incredibly valuable for society. The foundation provides tools and information for people to help themselves or their loved ones overcome their challenges.”
If you would like to find out more information about the AFSP and how you can support their cause, please visit the make a difference portion of their website.