Arts in Recovery for Youth

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, there is help available. You can learn more on our website at www.airyedu.com. If you are in crisis please call the national helpline at 988.

ABOUT AIRY & YOUTH SUICIDE

Arts in Recovery for Youth (AIRY) is an innovative arts-based youth suicide prevention program that was designed by art therapist and suicide attempt survivor, Marney Schorr. Marney endured a very difficult adolescence. She survived three suicide attempts before she found a new way to live through the transformative power of art therapy. On her journey to recovery, she became inspired to help young people struggling with the same feelings. 

In 2016, she started a grass roots art therapy program for youth suicide prevention in her art studio on a shoe string budget. Within the last seven years Marney helped to save the lives of over 200 teens and young adults. 100% of those youth have reported improvement and are safe. On average they have experienced a reduction in feeling suicidal by 77% in four months, and 95% in a year. Many of them are in full remission and have been trained to help new youth in the AIRY program.

Suicide rates for young people have been on the rise for over a DECADE and dramatically amplified by COVID-19. Teens and young adults are trying to cope with the stresses of society today - long periods of isolation and health anxiety, financial insecurity, gun violence, racism, discrimination, school bullying, the opioid epidemic, the loss of a parent, the insecurities about the leadership of our country, and so much more. They are more isolated than ever before and are fearful of the future. 

Because the success of AIRY, dozens of young people at risk for suicide are now reaching out for help. In AIRY, and through the arts, young people at risk for suicide learn skills in how to manage their emotions, problem solve, develop a greater sense of belonging, leadership and peer support, and strengthen identity, hope and meaningfulness in their lives. 

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP

Because we are a small program our resources cannot keep up with the demand of young people at risk for suicide and in need of help.

 

Marney, and the young people she helps along with their parents, are determined to do whatever it takes to keep the program going and grow it into a sustainable resource, not just for Berkshire County, but for all who seek help.

PLEASE DONATE

Please help this life saving program to prevail. Every donation goes directly to AIRY's arts-based suicide prevention programming for teens and young adults, ages 13-24, at no cost to families.

Together we can stop youth suicide and make a difference in the lives of the next generation. Please join me in this fight. 

Thank you for supporting this mission and for listening to our story.