Our Story

Our world was turned upside down when our son Kellen Erickson died by suicide on January 23, 2020 at the age of 19. Kellen was always a very well-liked kid who made friends very easily, so when he told us he was struggling with anxiety and depression toward the end of high school we were caught off guard. To the outside world, he seemed to have everything going for him including an easy-going personality. With our limited knowledge about the mental health world, we tried everything we could to find help for him. As parents, there is no worse feeling than not being able to help your child. We had the awareness but could not find the solutions. After losing Kellen and learning about the overwhelmingly high statistics of male suicide in particular, we decided we needed to help others avoid the pain of what we were experiencing and what Kellen felt he could not escape. We have become dedicated to finding ways to help boys and young men in our community survive their mental health issues.

-Mike and Kimber Erickson

Why Boys and Young Men?

We knew when we were in the midst of Kellen’s health crisis that many boys and young men were struggling with their mental health. However, the more we have researched and educated ourselves, the more we found the statistics to be shocking.

While suicide is one of the most pressing issues, we have learned that it is not the only result of the crisis these adolescents are experiencing. Some of the other major issues in our society include:

• Behavioral disorders

• Drug and alcohol abuse

• School suspensions and expulsions

• Incarceration

• Violence and homicide

Of course everyone could use help managing their mental health and well being, but this group proves to be especially fragile during their developmental years and early adulthood. We are hoping by focusing on this portion of the younger population, we have the opportunity to help more of them. Kellen would want us to help. He reached out and asked us for help, but our knowledge and resources were limited. We are determined to improve the access to resources and support to honor him and other children that have been lost or are suffering.

Today, mental health is as relevant as any other health conditions we might face. It is critical that we address these issues with as much energy and insight that we give to physical afflictions. Our health as a whole depends on it.