| Summary, etc |
"After losing her only child to suicide, Colleen Malany knew the best path forward was turning pain to purpose. By helping thousands of teens help themselves, others and their communities, she fulfilled that purpose. Weeks after sixteen-year-old son Kyle died, Colleen and now ex-husband Ken Braid set out to keep other families from feeling their agony. Since teenagers often turn to other teens when they struggle, Colleen and Ken targeted teen development through creating a JKB Program named after Kyle. Colleen dove into discovering how to best help teens help themselves and those around them as Ken focused on building JKB's structural foundations. Nearly 25 years later, the concepts Colleen embraced with the help of teacher turned mental health counselor Bill Walker are recognized as even more crucial today than when first embraced as part of JKB. Building resilience, finding role models, improving listening and teamwork skills, embracing humility and building true confidence while battling tough challenges were part of JKB for nearly 25 years. As youth anxiety, depression and suicide rates have soared in the past decade, the importance of building these skills while finding purpose, hope and connection has become even more clear. "Pain to Purpose" starts with learning from Kyle, gleaned from interviews with Kyle's classmates, coaches, family and other friends. Kyle's story illustrates the trauma of youth suicide, often taking some of the very best from life before they understand how important they are to those around them and the world in general. As readers get to know Kyle, they recognize the inspiration behind JKB and why some of the elements of the program were created. From there, struggles and gaps in much of America's adolescent development are explored through the stories of JKB participants, including the stories of those feeling misunderstood because of their ethnicity, race, faith, gender, personality, traumas and fears. Emboldened and embraced by JKB, participants have gone on to become teachers, military leaders, best-selling authors, business leaders, college coaches, professionals and healers. The ripple effects of their involvement in JKB have spread around the country and around the world. Anyone who has been affected by suicide loss, attempts or ideation should read the author's note first."--Amazon product description. |