NewYork-Presbyterian Announces Transformative $10 Million Gift from Kim and Jon Shirley to Address and Help Prevent Youth Suicide

NewYork-Presbyterian today announced a transformative $10 million gift from Kim and Jon Shirley, longtime supporters of the arts, education and human services, to address and help prevent youth suicide through the work of the Center for Youth Mental Health at NewYork-Presbyterian.

Named in memory of Jon Shirley's son, Erick, the donation will be dedicated to supporting youth mental health care through research and the development of innovative technology, including a first-of-its-kind tool for emergency department clinicians to evaluate young people with mental health concerns. The visionary gift is the largest in the Center's 13-year history, and honors the work of child psychiatrist Dr. David Shaffer, one of the founders of the Center for Youth Mental Health and a preeminent researcher of youth suicide.

"We are proud to carry on the legacy of Dr. David Shaffer, whose incisive and extraordinary vision paved the way in the study of suicide in youth," said Kim and Jon Shirley. "We are pleased to support the Center for Youth Mental Health at NewYork-Presbyterian to develop and advance powerful, effective resources for suicide prevention and bring hope to young people and their families who are struggling with mental health challenges."

"With Kim and Jon Shirley's extraordinary support, NewYork-Presbyterian's Center for Youth Mental Health is harnessing technology and innovation to improve youth mental health and save lives," said Dr. Anne Marie Albano, director of the Center for Youth Mental Health at NewYork-Presbyterian. "We are deeply grateful to the Shirleys for this visionary gift, which allows us to meet the urgency of this moment and help young people in need of our care for years to come."

The Erick Shirley Suicide Prevention Initiative will fund three key projects that will leverage technology to improve early identification of suicide risk, intervention methods, and prevention: a rapid, real-time suicide risk assessment tool, powered by artificial intelligence, for pediatric clinics; a first-of-its-kind support tool to assist emergency department clinicians in identifying youth suicide risk and determining appropriate care pathways; and digital mental health support for at-risk youth following discharge from the emergency department. A multidisciplinary team, including experts in youth suicide prevention, clinical research, biostatistics, and medical informatics, will drive the initiative, focused on developing personalized, effective tools and care to reduce the risk of suicide.

In the U.S., poor mental health and suicidal thoughts among youth are increasing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC data show that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for youth and young adults. Studies also show that 50% of lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, making early intervention critically important.

The Center for Youth Mental Health was founded to address the epidemic of mental health issues experienced by young people today. Its work supports and empowers the next generation to create the life they imagine.

NewYork-Presbyterian

NewYork-Presbyterian is one of the nation's most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems, encompassing 10 hospitals across the Greater New York area, nearly 200 primary and specialty care clinics and medical groups, and an array of telemedicine services.

A leader in medical education, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is affiliated with two renowned medical schools, Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. This collaboration means patients have access to the country's leading physicians, the full range of medical specialties, latest innovations in care, and research that is developing cures and saving lives.

Founded 250 years ago, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has a long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, from the invention of the Pap test to pioneering the groundbreaking heart valve replacement procedure called TAVR.

NewYork-Presbyterian's 50,000 employees and affiliated physicians are dedicated to providing the highest quality, most compassionate care to New Yorkers and patients from across the country and around the world.

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