Behind the Generosity: Marilyn Presti's Journey with CHADS
For many CHADS donors, contributing to suicide prevention efforts isn’t just a good cause; it’s personal. Marilyn Presti, a top CHADS donor and long-time volunteer for our organization, tragically lost her own son, Danny, to suicide in 2011. Today, she seeks to inspire other potential donors, including you, to begin supporting youth mental health programs, whether that be by donating their time, money, or even simply by raising awareness within their community.
Healing Through Action
You may be surprised to know that, in Marilyn’s view, contributing to our organization has been a crucial part of her own grief and healing. After the loss of her son, Marilyn connected with members of our team at an event in her local community that honored her son, and was instantly moved by their compassion and commitment to supporting youth mental health in practical, effective ways.
Marilyn and her son Danny
If you’ve been impacted by the loss of a loved one due to suicide, or you’ve struggled to overcome your own challenges, Marilyn encourages you to seek the companionship of others in your community who understand your feelings and have walked in your shoes. Through CHADS, you can find camaraderie and friendship, and Marilyn attests that many of the connections she’s made through her work with CHADS have become lifelong friends.
“I made friends through CHADS and found it healing and helpful for me to give back. I used to attend these memorial dinners in the early days and we would invite parents that lost a loved one to suicide and sit around the table to share stories about them and heal together.”
Addressing A National Crisis
Now, more than ever, children and young adults face increasing rates of substance abuse, bullying, and self-harm. However, despite efforts to tackle the opioid crisis and the impacts of social media on our youth, Marilyn hopes you’ll dare to address the true crisis at hand: Mental health. Programs like CHADS were created to provide a holistic and proactive approach to mental illness and bullying and give young adults and their families the necessary tools to heal.
“There’s so much put on our kids today-from dealing with bullying, drugs, social media, sex trafficking—so many of our kids are hurting. Mental health is a critical issue that needs to be addressed and that’s what I like about CHADS—they go to the schools when the kids are young to teach them coping skills. Saving one child is what it’s all about.”
Like Marilyn, perhaps you’ve known a family member, friend, or neighbor who has sought help for addiction or other related issues, which was the case for her son Danny’s closest friends. With the help of proactive mental health organizations, you can begin to tackle the root cause of many of these concerns, resulting in lasting, systemic change.
Fighting Against The Stigma
Contributing to suicide prevention efforts doesn’t just benefit your local community; it gives you a sense of purpose, unlike any other charitable donation. Particularly, Marilyn hopes the increased engagement will combat the stigma of mental health, turning what was once a “secret society” into a connected community.
If you’re familiar with CHADS, you’ve likely heard of its SOS® program. This program helps young adults recognize the symptoms of depression, signs of suicide, and the importance of telling a Trusted Adult when they notice those warning signs in themselves or someone they know also happens to be a cause near and dear to Marilyn’s heart.
Creating A Better Future
Ultimately, Marilyn hopes that increased attention on youth mental health will create a future driven by preventative measures so that no family suffers the same tragic loss as hers. In her words, “mental illness is a disease like any other, and supporting organizations that spearhead research and implement actionable policies is crucial to reducing suicide rates for generations to come.”
To learn more about CHADS and become a donor like Marilyn, visit us at https://www.chadscoalition.org/donate.