General Health Care

Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation supports Hispanic community

Program helps remove the stigma of mental illness.

The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation recently hosted an event in partnership with Canales Furniture to open the conversation of suicide and mental health in the Hispanic Community.

Construyendo por Amor was held on April 12 at All Saints Catholic Church in Fort Worth. The event included Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training in Spanish. QPR training addresses suicide data, myths and facts, suicide warning signs, and the three steps that one can use save a life.

Suicide rates among Hispanic youth have nearly doubled over the last decade and are highest among those aged 20-24. Although the conversation regarding suicide and mental health has been improving, there is still significant stigma. Historically marginalized communities have traditionally been left out of the conversation. Education and training can make a vital difference to help those who are struggling in silence.

The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation’s mission is to eradicate suicide by funding depression research and suicide awareness through education. It was created after the 2012 suicide of Jordan Harris, a young woman from North Richland Hills who was in her senior year at the University of Michigan.  Jordan was high school valedictorian, a National Merit Scholarship winner, a tireless volunteer, and a compassionate champion of those less fortunate. 

She suffered from a brief bout of depression and ended her life without warning, leaving her devastated family and friends to wonder if they could have done more to save her life. Jordan’s loved ones discovered there were no local programs available in Tarrant County providing evidence-based suicide prevention training and education.  The JEHF was founded in 2014 to undertake that role in Tarrant County.

The organization will host future Constuyendo por Amor events on the following dates (location TBD):

  • June 21st 6–8 p.m.
  • August 9th 6–8 p.m.
  • October 6th 6-8 p.m.
  • December 8th 6-8 p.m.

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Mindia Whittier