As a high school senior, Jordan Burnham had
everything to live for. He was popular, had good grades, and was a star
athlete. However, Jordan secretly battled depression. As the pressures
mounted, Jordan attempted to take
his own life. Jordan's miraculous survival propelled him to begin to
deal with
his depression and learn healthier coping mechanisms. Today, Jordan's
physical body is still recovering,
but he has found emotional wellness through counseling, and a strong
support
system. His program educates students about depression, suicide, and
coping
mechanisms for young adults. Jordan has been featured in major
Philadelphia print and broadcast news,
appeared on CNN, Dr. Phil, and addressed a Congressional briefing on
Capitol
Hill. He has been featured in three documentaries, including one titled No,
Kidding Me Too! Which was directed by Emmy winning
actor Joey Pantoliano. Jordan is a Pittsburgh native and now studying
communications at Montgomery County Community College in
Philadelphia.Jordan has been speaking on his story and mental
health all over the country for over a year and has been inspiring to
audiences
of all ages. It's a miracle that Jordan is alive after such devastating
injuries. His brave and relatable presentation encourages students and
informs
them that talking about whatever they are going through is a sign of
remarkable
strength.
Marcy Gilstad from Active Minds at Alma College says:
"Active
Minds appeals to the commonalities of the entire student body as we all know
someone affected by mental health issues and we all want to know how to help.
As a Resident Assistant on campus, I can see the impact we are making - the
counseling center is no longer invisible and the term depression is no longer
taboo."