2023-28 Strategic Plan

This strategic plan, which was developed by Lost&Found’s staff and approved by Lost&Found’s board, will guide the organization for the next five years.

Suicide risk has become one of the greatest threats to an entire generation of Americans. Suicide rates for young adults reached the highest levels recorded in 2021. And yet, our country and its mental health ecosystem have only scratched the surface of what’s possible in suicide prevention and loss support.

Nearly 14 years ago, a group of five audacious South Dakota college students came together to launch Lost&Found, all with a desire to “do more” to prevent suicide. Their efforts to connect, train, and support student mental health advocates laid the groundwork for what would become the most comprehensive and effective youth and young adult suicide prevention organization in South Dakota—and, perhaps, the region.

Let's Talk About Mental Health-January2023

With a unique combination of the “doing more” spirit, effective student leadership, evidence-based practice, and a commitment to innovation, Lost&Found rapidly increased its operations and impact in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, Lost&Found’s programs, services, and educational content have reached more than 5.1 million people, impacted more than 35 communities, and trained over 500 student leaders. Lost&Found has become a leading force in suicide prevention policy in its home state of South Dakota, and it is poised to continue creating impact, one community at a time.

Until Lost&Found’s vision of a world without suicide becomes a reality, however, “doing more” to prevent suicide and support loss survivors remains a critical priority. That means building on what works and continuing to seek the most impactful ways to help communities build resilience, prevent suicide, and care for those who have lost loved ones to suicide.

As Lost&Found closes the door on a period of tremendous change, impact, and world-altering events, it now must look ahead to what impact is needed and set a new course to achieve its mission and vision. This Strategic Plan is a culmination of careful environmental analysis, staff, and community partner feedback, and, as always, an effort to continue “doing more.”

Read the strategic plan

Reading the Plan:

The Lost&Found Strategic Plan is broken into five key strategic themes that stand alone, yet come together to form a clear, comprehensive approach to preventing suicide and supporting loss survivors.

Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes:

Within each strategy, action plans have been thoughtfully prepared by Lost&Found staff and board leadership. Specific outcomes are measured in one-, three-, and five-year increments.

Updating the Plan:

Each year, the Strategic Plan’s outcomes will be adjusted to reflect annual impact and feedback from the communities we serve. With each year, a new iteration of the Plan will emerge—and so will new lessons.

Sharing the Work of “Doing More”:

Each objective of the Strategic Plan is overseen by a specific team leader at Lost&Found—but is meant to include partnerships from both inside the organization and beyond. This aids accountability while also continuing Lost&Found’s culture of collaboration.