Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 24. In St. Louis County, the numbers are staggering. Last year alone, one in 36 middle and high school students tried to end their own lives. That equates to around one student in every classroom. For more than 20 years, CHADS Coalition for Mental Health has been dedicated to supporting the young people of the region. The nonprofit was founded by Marian and Larry McCord after losing their 18-year-old son Chad to suicide. CHADS uses evidence-based education, prevention and therapy to advance the awareness and prevention of depression and suicide.
CHADS serves 60,000 students annually, and around 12% grapple with their own mental health or witness a friend struggling, according to CEO Tom Duff. “When it comes to suicide, one is too many,” he notes. “Our job is to get in front of depression and suicidal ideation at all costs. We save young lives by advancing awareness. Ultimately, we’re trying to create hope inside of every student.” In its history, the nonprofit has reached more than 750,000 young people through in-school and virtual programming, including individual counseling, social emotional well-being mentoring and the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program, which teaches students and trusted adults how to recognize suicide warning signs and seek help.
The newest initiative CHADS implemented is the Hope Squad. The program offers a peer-to-peer support system. Teachers, as well as peers, nominate student leaders to participate, and they work with advisers to learn more about mental health and how to recognize the signs of distress and reach out. “It’s a really cool way to inspire kids to listen to each other more as it relates to factual mental health knowledge,” Duff notes. “When kids feel isolated, Hope Squad members will let them know they are not alone. It opens doors and helps break down the stigma around mental health.” The first Hope Squad launched at Jefferson Intermediate School in St. Charles, and CHADS is looking forward to expanding the program.
To make its programming possible, CHADS relies on the support of the community. Without it, the nonprofit would be unable to help connect students with trusted adults and mental health resources. Currently, CHADS works in more than 400 different schools, and Duff notes there is always a demand for more of its services. The organization’s largest annual fundraiser is its Brighter Days Gala. “The event allows us to reach more kids by raising more dollars and creating ambassadors inside the community,” he notes. “It helps us further break down the shame and judgement around suicide and mental health.”
This year’s Brighter Days Gala is Oct. 9 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Chaired by Ali Lynch and Paige Ringkamp, the event will honor World Mental Health Day, and guests can look forward to an energetic evening of hope and excitement. “Talking about suicide is hard, but the gala opens the door for people to share and uplift one another,” Duff says. “There is no shame associated with dealing with a physical health condition. CHADS wants to create a future where the same is true for mental health.”
CHADS Coalition for Mental Health offers a range of evidence-based programs to increase awareness, reduce stigma and teach students and trusted adults how to recognize suicide warning signs and seek help. Its Brighter Days Gala is Oct. 9 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Pictured on the cover: Chelsea Bremer, Tom Duff, Paige Ringkamp, Melissa Brickey, Ali Lynch. For more information, call 314.952.2046 or visit chadscoalition.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured at the top: Marian and Larry McCord, founders of CHADS Coalition for Mental Health
Photo: Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL