Tribute and Proclamation to Honor Teen Who Died by Suicide

DENVER – This Friday, February 14, 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis will proclaim February 14 as Jack Padilla Day. Jackstrong supporters will gather in the State Capitol’s West Foyer at 8 am to hear Colorado House Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet read a tribute to Jack Padilla preluding the gubernatorial proclamation.

Jack’s father, Rick Padilla, his brother John and his mother Jeanine are expected to speak. The event will bring heightened awareness of youth mental health and the need to end teen suicide.

Jack Padilla, a 15-year-old Cherry Creek High School freshman was bullied and cyber bullied by fellow students and tragically, Jack took his own life on February 14 of last year.

“We don’t want this to happen to anyone else’s children,” says Jack’s mother Jeanine. “It’s profoundly devastating.”

Colorado has experienced a 58 percent increase in teen suicide over the past three years. It is the highest increase in the U.S. since 2016. This rate is according to a new report by the United Health Foundation, which ranks each state for the health of its women and children.

In the year since Jack’s passing, fellow classmates and many in the community have rallied behind the tragedy in an ongoing effort to curb teen suicide. They launched Jackstrong to support this effort. Jackstrong has helped create multiple, high profile public service videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2l41hvkBhR7WXYVdCkxtJw featuring teens speaking to other teens and parents about suicide prevention and awareness. Additionally, Jackstrong is planning a youth summit on suicide prevention this August aptly named “We Got This!”

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For more information, visit the official Instagram page for #JACKSTRONG17 or the emerging website at https://jackstrong17.com