Youth Suicide Prevention Education Program

Joyce Gatson is a board certified professional counselor. She has been an adjunct faculty with the Maricopa County Community College District for twelve years. She is working as a counselor and psychology teacher primarily at Paradise Valley Community College. In addition, she has a private practice and works as an independent contractor for various agencies

Joyce is the founder and director of the Youth Suicide Prevention Education Program (YSPEP), a non profit organization. This multidimensional program presents a forum for "at risk" young people. In addition it provides an education and information center for parents, teachers, mental health professionals, legal advocates and clergy.

The focus of YSPEP is to save one young life, somewhere.

In trying to come to terms with the suicide of her only child, Joyce began writing the story of her life, and that of her family in an effort to understand how this tragedy could have happened. She found no answers, but instead an intimate reflection of her life and the subsequent death of her son. A publisher convinced Joyce that her story should be shared with the public in an effort to bring the issue of suicide "out of the closet." The hope is that by sharing her story, the shame and stigma attached to suicide will be recognized for what it really is; a waste of our precious youth. For example:

Every 18 minutes a person commits suicide in the U.S., but it is estimated that an attempt is made about once a minute. Over 30,000 people in the U.S. kill themselves every year. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds.