The Chase Continues: Upcoming Suicide Prevention and Mental Health First Aid Trainings

Suicide Prevention Month may be in September, but the importance of mental health awareness continues all year long. The need for understanding and intervention is ongoing, and now is the perfect time to ask yourself: What can you do to keep contributing?

If you’re looking for ways to stay engaged and make a lasting impact, we’ve got the answer: Equip yourself with the skills to save lives, not just during one month of the year, but every day.

We’re offering two QPR Suicide Prevention certification training sessions on October 22nd and November 14th. QPR—Question, Persuade, Refer—is a straightforward approach that anyone can learn. Think of it as the mental health equivalent of CPR. It’s about noticing the signs, asking the right questions, and guiding someone toward help. Simple, yet potentially life-saving.

On November 7th, we’re also offering a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification training. This course is designed for anyone who wants to be better prepared to support someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a mental health problem. Whether you’re a caregiver, community leader, or just someone who wants to help, MHFA will give you the tools to respond effectively.

So, what’s next? How do you continue making a difference? It’s simple: Register for one of these trainings. By doing so, you’re gaining knowledge and you’re stepping into a role that could change lives.

Click the links above to register and learn more about how to respond to mental health crisis. Keep the conversation going, and be a part of a community that cares. 

Bid on Baskets in the Shea’s Chase Online Auction!

Picture this: this: you’re sipping your morning coffee, scrolling through your phone, and thinking about ways to make a positive impact today. Good news— The Shea’s Chase Online Auction is up and running, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to show some love to your community while snagging some great prizes! Each bid you place directly supports the Kellin Foundation’s mission to build brighter futures for those in need. It’s a chance to make a difference and have a little fun along the way. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the baskets that are sure to catch your eye and get you in the bidding spirit.

First up, the Divine Dining basket. You know those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking? This basket’s got you covered. With gift cards to some of the best spots in town—CharBar7, Village Tavern, Green Valley Grill, and more—you can savor a night out without lifting a finger in the kitchen. Top it all off with a custom cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes and three bottles of wine to enjoy at home. It’s the perfect blend of dining out and indulging in some well-deserved treats. Bon appétit!

Then there’s the Hit The Road Adventure basket, perfect for the explorers at heart who know that the best memories are made on the road. Start off your journey with a caffeine boost from Starbucks and plan a series of unforgettable day trips. How about a scenic drive to Myrtle Beach for a delicious meal at Abuelo’s? But that’s just the start. You’ll also explore the breathtaking views of Grandfather Mountain, stroll through the beauty of Longwood Gardens, soar above the dunes with hang gliding lessons at Kitty Hawk Kites, and get your adrenaline fix with passes to the Whitewater Center. With multiple destinations, this basket turns every weekend into an adventure waiting to happen.

And for the golf lovers, the Lefty for Life Golfer Goods basket is calling your name. Packed with premium golf gear like a Swami GPS and Titleist balls, this basket is a nod to Brad Gunn’s love of the game. It’s a way to keep his spirit on the green while gearing up with everything you need for a perfect day on the course. Plus, with gift cards to Top Golf and Dick’s Sporting Goods, you’ll be more than ready to swing for the fences.

Every bid you place helps the Kellin Foundation continue providing essential mental health services to families and individuals who need them. When you bid you’re actively caring, loving, and helping people rebuild their lives. And honestly, that feels pretty good.

The auction runs until 12pm on October 5th, the day of the Shea’s Chase 5K walk and run. But why wait? Head over to the auction page, check out all the baskets, and get your bids in. It’s fun, it’s impactful, and hey—you just might walk away with the winning prize!

Kellin Foundation Receives $50,000 Grant from Positive Childhood Alliance NC

We’re excited to share that the Kellin Foundation has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina (PCANC). As one of 38 organizations chosen for this funding, we’re honored to be part of a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening family support services. This generous grant will allow us to continue expanding our work to build stronger, more resilient communities for families across Guilford County and North Carolina.

We know that healthy, connected families are key to a thriving community. With this funding, we will focus on two key project goals that align with our mission:

1. Supporting Our Wraparound Services
   We will use the grant to enhance our wraparound services, which play a crucial role in helping families navigate complex systems and access the resources they need. Our wraparound services ensure that families receive personalized support and guidance as they face life’s challenges, providing them with the tools and resources they need to move forward and thrive.

2. Strengthening Organizational Practices and Exploring New Services
   In addition to supporting our wraparound services, the grant will enable us to begin researching the potential for a drop-in childcare service at the Hope Hub. While this is not currently a service we offer, the funding will allow us to consult with experts to understand the requirements and best practices for establishing this service. This careful planning will help us ensure that, when ready to be implemented, the service is safe, effective, and aligned with our mission.

We are deeply grateful to Positive Childhood Alliance NC for this incredible acknowledgment of the work we are doing. Their commitment to empowering organizations like ours strengthens the entire network of family services across the state. “By investing in these organizations, PCANC is helping to build a stronger, more resilient prevention ecosystem of family support services,” said Andrea Clark, Prevention Networks Manager at PCANC. We’re excited to work alongside them to create lasting, positive change for children and families in North Carolina.

Over the next several months, we’ll participate in training, consultation, and community-building activities through PCANC to ensure our programs continue to meet the needs of the families we serve.

As we move forward, our focus remains the same: providing essential services that promote mental health, resilience, and well-being for all. We look forward to sharing more updates as we expand our reach and deepen our impact on families in our community. Together, with partners like PCANC, we are building a brighter future for every child and family we touch.

Stride for Life: Shea’s Chase and the Role of Suicide Prevention

September is National Suicide Prevention Month—a time to pause, reflect, and honor the lives lost to suicide. It’s a month when we embrace those who have faced the dark abyss of suicidal thoughts and stand with families and communities that bear the weight of this profound loss. It's about renewing our commitment to raising awareness, extending compassion, and providing support with both urgency and empathy.

One story that stands as a poignant reminder of our mission is that of Shea McKenna. Shea, with his brilliant humor and philosophical spirit, was a young man of remarkable depth. Yet, despite his many gifts, Shea grappled with mental health challenges that led to his untimely death by suicide in June 2014, just shy of his 28th birthday.

In the aftermath of this heart-wrenching loss, Shea’s parents, Tom and Dianne McKenna, transformed their grief into action. They established Shea’s Chase, a 5K run and walk that has become a day dedicated to bringing people together to honor those we’ve lost, support those in need, and raise funds for suicide prevention and mental health services.

The numbers surrounding suicide are stark and urgent. Between 2000 and 2022, suicide rates surged by approximately 36%. In 2022 alone, suicide was the cause of 49,476 deaths—about one every 11 minutes. The figures are even more staggering when we consider the number of people who think about or attempt suicide. That year, 13.2 million adults seriously contemplated suicide, 3.8 million made plans, and 1.6 million attempted to end their lives.

The proceeds from Shea’s Chase support the Kellin Foundation’s work, which includes providing free counseling, peer support, and community outreach to children, adults and families. Kellin Foundation’s quality and accessible evidence based, trauma-informed services are fundamental to combating suicide and supporting mental wellness.

In our ongoing effort to equip the community, we’re offering free QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Certification Training on October 22nd and November 14th. These workshops are designed to teach how to recognize the signs of suicide, offer support, and connect individuals to help. Additionally, we’re providing a free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training on November 7th.

These training opportunities are a chance to learn how to respond effectively to someone in a mental health crisis. Whether you’re participating in Shea’s Chase or simply someone committed to mental health and caring for the community, we encourage you to sign up to join these life-saving programs.

As September progresses, let’s commit to our role in preventing suicide. By participating in Shea’s Chase on October 5th, attending our free trainings, or simply starting a conversation about mental health, you’re helping to build a community where no one struggles alone. There is hope, and together, we can shine a light for those in need.

Honor the memory of those we've lost, support those still here, and work toward a future where suicide is no longer a leading cause of death.

Be a part of the change on October 5th by joining us for Shea’s Chase. Empower yourself and others by signing up for our free QPR and MHFA trainings. For more details and to register, click the buttons below.

Parents Under Pressure: The Surgeon General’s Call to Action for Our Families

Parenting has always been a demanding role, but in today’s world, the pressures have escalated to unprecedented levels. Families across the country are feeling the strain. The U.S. Surgeon General’s recent advisory, Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents, captures this reality with urgency, calling for immediate and collective action.

At the Kellin Foundation, we see these pressures firsthand. Every day, we witness the resilience of parents who are doing their best to overcome obstacles and create stable, nurturing environments for their children. But the reality is stark: parents are more stressed than ever before. According to the Surgeon General’s advisory, 33% of parents reported high levels of stress in the past month, compared to 20% of other adults. This isn’t a fleeting issue—41% of parents say they are so stressed most days that they cannot function, and 48% report their stress is completely overwhelming.

The impact of this stress is significant. Recent data from 2021-2022 reveal that among the 63 million parents with children under the age of 18, 23.9% (or 20.3 million) had mental illness, while 5.7% (or 4.8 million) had a serious mental illness. These mental health conditions don’t just affect the parents; they ripple through the family. Children of parents with mental health conditions face heightened risks, including earlier onset and recurrent symptoms of depression and anxiety, and prolonged functional impairment. One study found that children of a primary caregiver with poor mental health were four times more likely to have poor general health and twice as likely to develop mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders. These children are also more prone to cognitive, academic, and interpersonal struggles.

What’s causing this mental health crisis? The advisory identifies several key stressors contributing to the overwhelming burden on parents today:

1. Financial Strain and Economic Instability: Financial worries are a constant source of stress, with 66% of parents consumed by concerns about money. Rising costs of child care, health care, and basic needs like food and housing only add to the pressure.

2. Time Demands: Parents are working longer hours—mothers average 26.7 hours per week in paid work, a 28% increase since 1985, while fathers work an average of 41.2 hours. Despite these demands, parents are also spending more time on primary child care, leading to increased work-family conflict and burnout.

3. Children’s Health and Safety: The health challenges of children, including mental health struggles, are a significant source of stress. Nearly three in four parents worry about their child developing anxiety or depression. Additionally, concerns about children’s safety, such as the fear of school shootings, weigh heavily on parents’ minds.

4. Parental Isolation and Loneliness: Social isolation is another pervasive issue, with 65% of parents and guardians reporting loneliness, and single parents feeling particularly isolated at a rate of 77%. The lack of social support exacerbates the stress of parenting.

5. Technology and Social Media: Nearly 70% of parents believe that parenting is now more difficult than it was 20 years ago, largely due to the challenges of managing children’s use of technology and social media. Parents worry about the potential for social media to contribute to anxiety, depression, and exposure to harmful content.

6. Cultural Pressures and Expectations: Modern parenting often involves unrealistic cultural expectations, with societal norms pressuring parents to meet perceived standards of success. This intensifying culture of comparison, often fueled by social media, leaves many families feeling exhausted and perpetually behind.

One of the most troubling aspects highlighted in the advisory is the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs include potentially traumatic events like living with a parent who has a mental health condition or substance misuse, experiencing violence, or witnessing domestic abuse. These experiences can have a profound impact on a child’s development, leading to long-term mental, physical, and behavioral health challenges. Children who experience ACEs are at greater risk for depression, anxiety, chronic diseases, and behavioral problems. The cumulative effect of multiple ACEs can further compound these risks, making early intervention and support critical for breaking the cycle and promoting healthier outcomes.

At the Kellin Foundation, our mission aligns closely with the Surgeon General’s call to action. We offer comprehensive mental health services tailored for parents and caregivers, understanding that strong mental health is foundational to effective parenting. Our counseling services and support groups are designed to help parents manage these stressors, reducing the risk of mental health conditions and fostering healthier family dynamics.

We also recognize that mental health is deeply intertwined with basic needs. That’s why Kellin Foundation’s wraparound services are designed to connect our clients with resources for housing, food, job assistance, emergency bill pay, and more. We know that alleviating these stressors can make a significant difference in a parent’s ability to care for their family and maintain their own well-being.

The advisory emphasizes the critical need to ensure that parents and caregivers have access to comprehensive, affordable mental health care. It calls for stronger insurance coverage, expanded mental health services in community settings, and the removal of financial barriers that prevent many parents from getting the help they need. Kellin Foundation is committed to making these essential services available to our community, recognizing that when parents are supported in their mental health, they are better equipped to care for their children, leading to healthier, more resilient families.

The Surgeon General’s advisory is a call to action—a reminder that the well-being of parents and caregivers is a shared responsibility. The statistics and findings are clear: we must act now to support our families. We encourage you to read the full advisory here and to join us in supporting the parents in our community. At the Kellin Foundation, we stand ready to partner with you, offering the support and resources needed to build stronger, healthier families.

Get Ready to Send Some Love—And Support a Great Cause!

Alright, folks, let’s talk about something that’s a win-win for everyone involved—cards! But not just any cards. We’re talking about PaperPie’s Cards for a Cause, and they’re now available through the Kellin Foundation. You know what that means? It means you can stock up on some seriously stylish, high-quality greeting cards and feel good knowing your purchase is making a difference right here in our community.

Now, let’s be real for a minute. We’ve all been there—rushing to the store at the last minute to grab a card for that birthday, thank you, or sympathy message, only to be floored by the price. Seriously, who knew a piece of folded paper could cost so much? But fear not, because we’ve got a solution that’s as easy on the wallet as it is on the heart.

For just $30, you can get your hands on PaperPie’s All Occasion Box #1. What’s in it, you ask? A whopping 30 cards! That’s right—30 beautifully designed, high-quality cards for any and every occasion. Whether it’s a birthday, a thank you, a congratulations, or just a “thinking of you” moment, you’ll have the perfect card on hand. And at just $1 per card, you’re saving money and you’re making a meaningful impact.

But wait, there’s more! We know that life is full of special moments, and sometimes one box just isn’t enough. That’s why we’re excited to offer a variety of boxes to suit all your card-sending needs:

• All Occasion Box #2: If you loved the first one, you’ll definitely want to check out the sequel. Box #2 features another 30 cards with fresh designs and sentiments, perfect for those times when you want to mix things up a bit.

• Kids Birthday Box: Got little ones in your life? This box is a lifesaver! It’s packed with 30 fun, vibrant cards tailored specifically for kids’ birthdays. Never worry about finding the perfect card for your niece, nephew, or your own kiddos again.

• Thanks & Blanks Box: Sometimes, you just want to say thanks, or maybe you prefer to write your own message. This box has you covered with 30 cards that are either blank inside or filled with thoughtful thank-you messages. It’s versatile, it’s classy, and it’s a must-have.

• Holiday Box: This special collection features 50 seasonal greeting cards, perfect for celebrating all the major holidays throughout the year. From Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s to Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, and Easter, this box has you covered. With beautifully designed cards for every festive occasion, you’ll be ready to spread holiday cheer all year long—saving time and money in the process!

Here’s the best part: Every purchase supports the Kellin Foundation’s mission to prevent, treat, and heal trauma in our community. When you buy these cards, you’re getting a great deal and you’re also helping us provide behavioral health counseling, peer support, and wraparound services to those who need it most. So, go ahead and feel good about that stack of cards on your desk—each one represents a step toward a healthier, stronger community.

So, what are you waiting for? Head over to our website, grab your PaperPie Cards for a Cause, and be ready for every occasion that comes your way. It’s never been easier to spread a little joy and do a lot of good.