SouthCoast Foundation Turns Tragedy Into Expanded Suicide Prevention Mission

Raising suicide awareness and promoting better mental health among young people is the goal of the Tyler J. Leonard Memorial Foundation. The foundation was formed several years after Tyler committed suicide in 2018, one day before his 30th birthday.

Turning Tragedy Into Help

Tyler was beloved by family and friends, and his death caused much pain and grief. Instead of shutting down, those close to Tyler began talking about ways to give his death some meaning. They formed a foundation and began raising money to address mental health issues and raise suicide awareness in local communities.

Joel Baptista is Tyler's uncle and one of the organizers of the Tyler J. Leonard Memorial Foundation.

"Tyler was kind of typical," Baptista said. "He loved sports, was into music, he was a college graduate, he held a job and enjoyed family and friends. To see someone that has all that struggle behind that mask, it's difficult, especially when it's a family member."

How the Foundation Supports Youth Mental Health

For the past three years, the foundation has held fundraising events, and invested the money raised in a variety of programs. It has hired nationally-known speakers who visited area high schools, reminding kids that it's okay to not be okay, and to seek help when needed.

The foundation partnered with Child and Family Services to create a new room for adolescents at its new Church Street headquarters. Dennison Memorial and the New Bedford Boys and Girls Club have also been recipients of support from the foundation.

READ MORE: Dartmouth Shaw's Giving Back to Local Foundation

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Westport High’s Hope Squad Initiative

This year the Tyler J. Leonard Memorial Foundation will be working with Westport High School on a new initiative, the Hope Squad.

"We're going to fund this program for two years," Baptista said. "It's a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that trains students to recognize warning signs, promote mental health, and connect peers to trusted adults."

Baptista said there is a training program for selected students and faculty advisors.

How You Can Support the Cause

The Tyler J. Leonard Memorial Foundation needs your help to keep its programs going. The public is invited to an outdoor fundraising event on September 6 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Stackhouse Club, located at 16 Faith Street in South Dartmouth.

READ MORE: SouthCoast Foundation Hosting Fourth Annual Fundraiser

Tickets are $50 and the event will include live music, food, raffles and more. Baptista said all of the proceeds will go directly into programs to address mental health issues and suicide prevention.

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