CHADS offers Signs of Suicide®, Family Support, and Social Emotional Well-being programs to advance
01/10/2026
Congratulations to the Teachers in the Positive Choice Program, Sherman, Brandi, and Vicki, at Hazelwood Opportunity Center, for being our November 2025 Lighthouse Awards winners!
These educators were nominated by our SEW Coordinator, Michele, who not only helps lead our Social Emotional Wellbeing (SEW) work but also serves as a SEW mentor herself. When mentors support mentors, students thrive. 💚
Recipients of the Lighthouse Award are recognized for being extraordinary advocates for mental health and su***de prevention, and this team exemplifies what it means to show up consistently, compassionately, and intentionally for students.
Because of partners like the Hazelwood School District, we’re able to continue this vital work. Thank you for your commitment to creating safe, supportive spaces and for investing in the wellbeing of the students you serve.
01/09/2026
January is all about celebrating the incredible impact mentors have on our lives. We're passionate about mentorship at CHADS because we've seen firsthand how it changes lives—especially through our SEW (Social Emotional Wellbeing) program.
This is why we're excited to give a super shout-out to our SEW Mentor, Jacob, for being awarded the Compass Award from the Community Impact Network, which funds our work at Lucas Crossing MS in the Normandy Schools Collaborative.
"This award is presented to an individual who listens and guides others. They are attentive and compassionate, and their steady presence and thoughtful guidance offer clarity and inspire courage and empowerment. Without the direction and guidance of these individuals, generational growth would not be possible."
Jacob, we are beyond grateful to have you as a member of CHADS and so proud of the work you’re doing! Thank you to The Community Impact Network for your continued partnership and recognition.
01/08/2026
We’re grateful to WashU School of Continuing & Professional Studies for featuring co-founder Larry McCord and sharing his journey — from student to discovering purpose through service.
Larry’s story is a reminder that learning is lifelong, and impact often unfolds in unexpected ways. Thank you for helping highlight the path that led to so much good in our community.
📖 Read the alumni feature below.
After turning personal tragedy into a lifelong commitment to service, WashU CAPS alum Larry McCord has been named one of only five AARP Purpose Prize honorees in the nation for 2025. This recognition reflects the strength of his work and its lasting impact across St. Louis. Join in congratulating Larry on this well-earned national honor and read more about his journey at https://caps.washu.edu/caps-alumnus-larry-mccord-receives-the-aarp-purpose-prize/
01/07/2026
Looking for a meaningful New Year’s resolution? How about joining the fight against su***de in Missouri?
We’re sharing an incredible opportunity from the Missouri Su***de Prevention Network: Community Conversations about Su***de Prevention meeting on January 16, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. This virtual meeting is your chance to connect, learn, and take action for su***de prevention in our state.
Start 2026 with purpose—because every step toward prevention can save a life.
Mark your calendars and see registration info below!
As we head into a new year, we just want to say thank you. Thank you for being here, for supporting this work, and for showing up countless ways.
A new year always brings hope and fresh starts and we’re grateful to walk into it with this community.
12/31/2025
A year like 2024—serving 700,000 people and achieving record-breaking fundraising—only motivates us to aim higher. Our success is our starting line for 2026. 💚
We need your continued partnership to meet our ambitious First Quarter Goals:
Total Q1 Fundraising Goal: $325,000
Second Annual Day of Giving Goal: $75,000
This funding allows us to expand crucial programs like Hope Squad, Signs of Su***de, Family Support, and Social Emotional Wellbeing across the St. Louis region. Every early-year gift is an investment in prevention, support, and a brighter future for a young person. Help us kick off 2026 strong!
Donate now: 🔗www.chadscoalition.org/donate
12/31/2025
As we close out the year, we want to share something deeply personal and incredibly powerful.
In this video, Melissa Brickey, CHADS’ Chief Development Officer, shares her own story at She Said St. Louis: her experience with suicidal ideation, her journey toward healing, and her belief in hope. Her courage, kindness, and authenticity are a breath of fresh air, and her vulnerability invites others to feel less alone. 💚
Melissa doesn’t just lead this work; she lives it. And because of her openness and heart, our organization is stronger, more compassionate, and more connected.
recorded live November 15, 2025 at The Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries, St. Louis, MOfrom the playbill:Melissa has dedicated her career to advocating ...
12/29/2025
If you've been meaning to give before year's end, this is your sign. 💚
The numbers you see here represent thousands of young people who felt supported, asked for help, and found hope this year.
Every year-end gift, no matter the size, helps ensure more youth feel seen and never alone.
During this special time of year, we hope you find moments of quiet reflection, deep gratitude, and gentle joy. The holidays can bring a complicated mix of emotions, and we want to remind you that your well-being matters most.
Remember, if you or someone you care about needs immediate support, please reach out. Resources are available 24/7. Call or Text 988.
Happy Holidays from the bottom of our hearts! We're here for you.
Remember, you are so wanted, needed, and never alone. 💚
If you are struggling right now and need someone to talk to, text or call 988. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
📷Credit: 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
12/24/2025
Ugly Christmas sweaters, festive fits, and even one with blinking lights 🤣, we closed out the year celebrating our and some of the people who make our mission possible.
Ending the year and proud of this team. 💚
12/23/2025
"Peer-to-peer intervention is powerful. It makes you feel heard, safe, and seen in a way that others might not understand. This is why I'm such an advocate for Hope Squad. Through their programming, Hope Squad empowers youth to build connections with peers and be that bridge to adult support. It can be so hard to ask for help from an adult sometimes, but it can be so much easier with a friend. Seeing young people feel like they have the knowledge and capability to help themselves and their peers gives me so much joy. They are doing incredible work to stop the stigma surrounding mental health.”
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Chad McCord was not your ordinary teenager. He was an Eagle Scout. He was in the top 15% of his class at Oakville High School and had almost 20 college credits. He was a church youth group retreat leader and an outstanding athlete. During his 3-1/2 years of high school, he earned 5 “most something” plaque awards for cross-country, soccer and track. He was being recruited by a Division 1 school to play college soccer. He was nominated for and attended a week-long leadership program in Washington, DC. As a volunteer, he spent many hours as a coach and worker for the Kirkwood Track Club. He was the assistant coach for his church C*C track team for four years.
Chad had a special compassion and respect for everyone. He loved to volunteer, especially with children with special needs. This was clear in his work with Ride On St. Louis, an equestrian therapy program for physically challenged children.
Chad’s life was forever changed after depression reared its ugly and deadly head. The disease was just as deadly and invasive as cancer. Slowly, it took over Chad’s spirit, body and mind. With every passing day, Chad lost hope and began seeing himself as a burden to all. His depression blinded him to the many gifts he had.
Chad could no longer hide his depression behind the mask he wore so well. In October 2003, Chad was diagnosed with depression and an anxiety disorder. Several months later, he was diagnosed with OCD (obsessing to hurt himself) and rapid cycling Bipolar Disorder.
As Chad underwent his treatment, he vowed that after he got better he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives by bringing mental illness out of the closet. He said that once he was better, he wanted to stand in front of the school assembly and say, “Hi, my name is Chad McCord, and I suffer from depression.”
He commented, “If I had cancer, students would rally around me and make posters and give me a hero’s welcome when I came back to school. But since I have a mental illness, the students will shy away from me. They will think I am weird and not want to be around me.”
Chad McCord was 18 years old when he lost his battle with depression and took his life on April 15, 2004. Unfortunately, Chad left this world before fulfilling his dream to increase awareness and acceptance of mental illness.
Chad’s parents, Larry and Marian McCord, vowed to be Chad's voice! In 2005, they founded CHADS Coalition for Mental Health in memory of their son, Chad. CHADS' goal is to save teen lives.
