CHADS Coalition for Mental Health

10/29/2026

Halloween is almost here!

While costumes and trick-or-treating bring lots of excitement, sensory overstimulation and schedule disruptions can sometimes trigger anxiety or meltdowns for sensitive kids and teens. Keep the weekend fun, safe, and stress-free with these quick family tips:

Halloween Family Strategies
- Practice Costumes First: Let kids wear their costumes around the house before Halloween night to ensure they feel comfortable and aren't itchy or restrictive.
- "Safe Word": Give your child a signal they can use if trick-or-treating gets too crowded or loud, so they know they can take a break without penalty.
- Social Energy: It's okay if your child only wants to visit a few houses or hand out candy from the porch instead of going out.

Wishing all our St. Louis families a safe, fun, and memorable Halloween weekend!

If you or your family need support navigating stress or mental health challenges this autumn, CHADS is always here. Visit chadscoalition.org.

10/28/2026

Mental health resources should never feel complicated or hard to find.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, save these essential contacts in your phone or screenshot this post so you always have them when you or a friend need support.

CHADS Coalition Programs:
- Social Emotional Wellbeing: Complementary, evidence-based programs that promote social and emotional learning resiliency and bullying prevention in teens and young adults.
- Individual Therapy and Support: targeted, short-term counseling support to children and adolescents struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation.
- Signs of Su***de: SOS® is an evidence-based su***de prevention program, with presentations for students in grades 6-12, faculty, and parents.
- Su***de Loss Support for Schools: Supportive services for students, school staff, and the community following a su***de or traumatic student death.

24/7 Crisis & Support Lines
- Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Free, confidential, 24/7)

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ Youth): Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.

Visit chadscoalition.org to connect with our team for youth presentations and community education across St. Louis Schools.

Knowing where to go in a moment of need can change everything. Tag someone below who might want to save these resources.

10/22/2026

Myth vs Fact

During Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s replace misconceptions with clear facts. Stigma grows when we don't talk openly about mental health—and that stigma often stops young people from asking for help.

Let's clear up a few common myths:
MYTH: Teen moodiness is just a normal phase they’ll grow out of.
✅ FACT: While mood shifts happen, persistent sadness, withdrawal, or drastic behavioral changes lasting more than two weeks are key signs a young person may need professional support.

MYTH: Talking about su***de plants the idea in someone's head.
✅ FACT: Asking directly and compassionately opens a vital door for youth to express their pain safely and get connected to care.

MYTH: Reaching out for counseling means you can't handle your own problems.
✅ FACT: Seeking therapy or guidance is a proactive sign of strength and self-awareness—just like seeing a doctor for a physical injury.

Help us normalize these conversations. Save this post and share it with a friend today.
Visit chadscoalition.org to learn how our school presentations empower students to recognize these signs early.

***dePrevention

10/21/2026

Event recap highlighted in Town & Style Snapped! ✨📸
https://townandstyle.com/chads-coalition-for-mental-health-brighter-days-gala-2026/

Thank you again to everyone who made CHADS Coalition for Mental Health’s 10th Annual Brighter Days Gala such a special night filled with hope and purpose! 💚 Already looking forward to next year!

The gala was held in celebration of World Mental Health Day. Hosted by Frank Cusumano, the evening brought together supporters and community members, with C ...

10/21/2026

Wellness Wednesday: Fall Foliage

Did you know that spending just 20 minutes outside surrounded by fall foliage can measurably lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and boost your mood?
Nature offers a natural reset button for our nervous systems—especially as schedules get busy with school and work.

Your Fall Mental Health Challenge:
Head to a local St. Louis spot like Castlewood State Park, Forest Park, or Creve Coeur Lake this week. Leave your headphones in your pocket for 10 minutes and practice sensory grounding:

- Notice the changing colors of the leaves.
- Listen to the crunch under your feet.
- Feel the crisp autumn breeze on your face.

What’s your favorite local trail or park to recharge during the fall? Drop your recommendations below!

Learn more at chadscoalition.org.

10/16/2026

WOW, TOGETHER WE DID IT! ✨🎉💚

We are deeply grateful for the generosity and for the spirit of compassion that raised over $427,000 at our 10th Annual Brighter Days Gala. Our largest total to date! These vital funds will directly support CHADS’ mission to save young lives by advancing the awareness and prevention of depression and su***de.

When we looked around the ballroom that evening, we saw not just a room full of guests, but a community united in purpose—a community that believes every young person deserves a brighter tomorrow. THANK YOU!

Just a few more photos from the night and more to come!

10/15/2026

Fall Family Favorites

Looking for a fun, stress-free family outing in St. Louis this weekend? Orchard visits and fall outings are a great way for families to connect!
Shared family activities build emotional resilience and strengthen parent-child connections—providing a safe foundation for open conversations.

Family Fall Activities
- Eckert’s Farm (Belleville / Millstadt): Pick apples, navigate a corn maze, and enjoy a wagon ride together!
- Grant’s Farm Fall Fest: Enjoy animal interactions, seasonal tractor rides, and outdoor family fun right here in South County.
- Thies Farm & Pumpkinland (Maryland Heights): Perfect for younger kids to play outdoors and pick out their family pumpkins.

Keep the outing low-pressure! Focus on the shared time and conversation rather than checking every activity off the list.

What's your family's favorite October tradition around St. Louis? Tell us in the comments!

10/14/2026

Wellness Wednesday: Mental Health IS Health. 💚

Millions of young people navigate anxiety, depression, and mood challenges every day—yet so many carry the weight in silence due to fear or stigma. Education changes everything. When we teach youth, parents, and educators how to recognize early signs of distress, we build communities where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

How YOU can take action this week:
- Check in on a friend or classmate with an open, non-judgmental question.
- Learn the A.C.T. method (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) to support someone in need.
- Share this post to remind your network that help is always available.

Visit chadscoalition.org to learn how our school programs empower youth across St. Louis. You are never alone.

10/12/2026

At CHADS, we know that having even just one trusted adult in a young person’s life can make a tremendous difference in reducing the risk of depression and suicidal ideation. We invite each of you to join the movement and be a trusted adult.

We hope you enjoy the video we shared at the gala!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuS1xWhWqLg

A special thank-you to Brayden, Tom, Marquetta, Jacob, and Emily for their courage and vulnerability in sharing their stories and offering a heartfelt glimpse into CHADS’ mission. We’re also incredibly grateful to filmmaker Luke Terrell and his team at Restless Productions LLC for helping bring these stories to life.

Thank you all for being part of the CHADS community. It takes a village to save lives!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/11/2026

💚✨ Today we recognize World Mental Health Day!

Yesterday was an unforgettable evening, and CHADS Coalition is filled with gratitude! Thank you to our amazing sponsors, donors, guests, volunteers, and supporters for making our gala so special and for believing in our mission to save young lives by advancing awareness and prevention of depression and su***de.

The impact of last night goes far beyond the gala. Together, we can continue building connections, raising awareness, and reminding every young person that they matter.

💚 How can you be part of the change? Be a trusted adult.
✨ Listen without judgment.�✨ Show up and be present.�✨ Ask a young person how they're really doing.�✨ Remind them they are seen, heard, and valued.

You don't have to have all the answers — sometimes, simply showing up can make all the difference.

The gala may be over, but the mission continues. Thank you for helping CHADS Coalition make a difference, one connection at a time.

💚 Be a trusted adult. Build connections. Be part of the change!

(Here's a sneak peek of a few photos from the evening!)