Tompkins County

Supporting Mental Health in Tompkins Schools

thesophiefund

Five Ithaca-based mental health organizations have released the 2026-27 edition of their resource guide, “Mental Health Support & Suicide Prevention for Schools in Tompkins County.”

National and local surveys document the seriousness of a mental health crisis affecting young people. In a survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 percent of high schoolers said they experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Twenty-nine percent reported poor mental health, and 20 percent said they had considered taking their own lives.

A survey of high school and middle school students in Tompkins County showed similar patterns although lower than the national data. Forty-four percent said they felt anxious or worried on most days, 32 percent felt sad or depressed on most days, 28 percent said that “sometimes I think life is not worth it,” and 11 percent reported thoughts of suicide.

DOWNLOAD: Mental Health Support & Suicide Prevention for Schools in Tompkins County

To support Tompkins County schools, the resources guide was first launched in 2024 by the Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Central New York, National Alliance on Mental Illness Finger Lakes, Mental Health Association in Tompkins County, and The Sophie Fund.

“Statistically, mental health education in schools is one of the most important initiatives, based on suicide rates and other youth mental health statistics,” said Sandra Sorensen, executive director of NAMI Finger Lakes. “Creating, finding, and presenting curriculum can add an extra burden to educators.”

“This booklet outlines the free programs and services available to students, parents, and teachers offered by local mental health nonprofit organizations. Participants also benefit from learning about external, local resources and community connections. This creates a broader, more diverse, supportive network,” Sorensen added. 

If you have a comment, concern, or suggestion about mental health in Tompkins schools, please feel free to email it to The Sophie Fund: thesophiefund2016@gmail.com.

After a brief “Mental Health & Suicide 101” introduction, the guide details the mental health and suicide prevention education and training that the organizations are ready to present to Tompkins school administrators, teachers, students, and parents.

The guide compiles handbooks and toolkits to assist Tompkins schools in developing mental health promotion and bullying prevention programming as well as suicide prevention strategies in their school communities. The guide points to recommendations for youth use of social media issued by the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association.

DOWNLOAD: 5 Simple Steps

The guide also includes 5 Simple Steps, a downloadable “safety plan” young people (or adults) can consult if they are feeling overwhelmed with a deteriorating mood.

The five organizations requested an opportunity to meet directly with the seven Tompkins County school superintendents and their leadership teams to provide a presentation on the support services available and respond to any concerns or questions they may have. The organizations have met with the Ithaca, Trumansburg, and Lansing districts, but Groton, Dryden, and Newfield have not yet scheduled a meeting.

Administrators, teachers, families: REQUEST A FREE TRAINING for assemblies, classes, or parent meetings

Walking Out of the Darkness

thesophiefund

More than 250 people raised over $69,000 in the 14th Annual Greater Ithaca Out of the Darkness Walk on September 12 organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Greater Central New York Chapter.

Organizers at the Out of the Darkness Ithaca Walk

The scene at Lansing’s Myers Park mixed sadness, hope, and moments of joy: the walk included loss survivors adorned with colored “honor beads” remembering someone lost to suicide; moms and dads pushing strollers bearing the next generation; a Goldendoodle and other pets sniffing their way; a medieval knight; and Andy Armadillo.

Everyone was sent walking with the razzle dazzle of Dryden High School cheerleaders under a bright sky over Cayuga Lake.

The Ithaca event is among 400 walks held across the country every year designed to raise awareness, support survivors of suicide loss, and collect funds for AFSP’s research, training, and educational programming. A local spring walk takes place on the Cornell University campus.

Crystal Howser of AFSP and Darrell Harrington of Be Kind Ithaca

Thirty-four fundraising teams surpassed the Walk’s target goal of $61,000. It set the Ithaca Walk’s record for fundraising.

Team Beginnings was the top fundraising team, collecting $8,545. L3 Lisa’s Lagomorph Legion was next with $7,061, followed by Team Hope with $3,646. The top fundraiser was Amanda Gilmore, who collected $3,636 in donations.

To add a donation to AFSP, click here.

“As we embark on today’s walk, I stand here looking at our village with hope and gratitude,” said Walk Co-Chair Crystal Howser, recalling that when she and Stacy Ayres founded the Ithaca Walk in 2012 “we had no idea what we were doing.”

“Never underestimate what you can achieve and the difference you can make in the lives of others. Though our stories may differ, we join with one unified, powerful goal: to end suicide.”

“On this journey, strangers turn into friends and friends turn into family as we connect with one another and navigate through our grief.  Together, we are strong, together we are making a difference, together we are saving lives.”

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

The opening ceremony heard from Elizabeth Scanlon, a Cortland High School student who is the New York Teen for International American Women of Service. She shared that she has suffered from treatment-resistant major depressive disorder for years.

“My journey has been long and difficult, but I stand in front of you today being able to talk about it after 16 years of relentless work on myself,” she said. “It took many years of working on myself for me to feel better. And that came when I started to work on my mental health myself. I changed my mindset around life and how I saw myself.”

Scanlan said that she is committed to using her experience to help others.

“Now I hope to help make someone else’s journey a smoother road,” she said. “I made it my mission to help other people going through the same or similar struggles as I was.”

“I see a world where there’s hope, love, and acceptance with support. Where we can be open about our struggles to help others who face them. This will help us eliminate dangerous stigmas preventing people from reaching out for help that they desperately need,” Scanlon said.

New York Teen for International American Women of Service Elizabeth Scanlon

Before the walk began along the Myers Park circuit, Aidan Locke sang “Say So,” a song released earlier this year by country musicians Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney who perform as Dan + Shay. The song was inspired by the suicide death of their mentor, and its lyrics stress the importance of seeking help and supporting those who are struggling.

The chorus goes:

If your light burns out and you’re in the dark
If you can’t pick up the pieces
If the world you trusted falls apart
If your heart’s run out of reasons
I’ll be there every time you call
Pick you up every time you fall
If you’rе going through hell, you’re not alone
If you need somеbody, say so.

Ithaca Walk Co-Founders Stacy Ayres and Crystal Howser conduct the honor beads ceremony

The 2026 Out of the Darkness Itaca Walk was sponsored by:

Mirabito, Ithaca Apartment Management/Solomon Organization, Beginnings Credit Union, Maguire Foundation, The Strebel Planning Group and their Fund for Community Enrichment, 23 North Restaurant/Pizza and Bones, Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County, Triad Foundation, Centralus Health/Cayuga Health, Guthrie, Texas Roadhouse, Seven7Brew, Synergy IT Services, Lansing Funeral Home Wildlife Resolutions, CSP Management, Ehrhart Energy, Visions Credit Union, Tioga State Bank Foundation, Cayuga Lake National Bank, Dave Hatfield/Hatfield Catering, Brehmstone Photography, Close Sound, Wegmans, Sumo Restaurant, Moore’s Family Farm, Lansing Business Alliance, and Cayuga Radio Group.

Walkers at the Opening Ceremony

Andy Armadillo and friends

L3 Lisa’s Lagomorph Legion team

Ithaca Pride Alliance

NAMI Finger Lakes

Thank You

The Sophie Fund

The future

Preventing Suicides in Tompkins County

thesophiefund

To mark National Suicide Prevention Month in September, The Sophie Fund is publishing a booklet highlighting the considerable efforts taken to save lives in Tompkins County over the past decade.

Healthcare leaders speaking at a suicide prevention town hall, 2023

Leaders from healthcare, behavioral health, government agencies, and concerned nonprofits have come together to upgrade suicide prevention practices, train practitioners, and educate the public about suicide risk factors and warning signs. It is a sustained, community-wide mission.

The booklet will be distributed at “Rooted in Action: Innovative Approaches for Rural Suicide Prevention,” the annual New York State Suicide Prevention Conference being held this year in Ithaca on September 29-30.

If you or someone you know feels the need to speak with a mental health professional, you can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741-741.

Among the steps taken in Tompkins County:

—In the 2017 Watershed Declaration, healthcare leaders pledged to “intensify efforts toward saving lives and bringing hope to those struggling with suicide thoughts or affected by suicide loss.”

—Stakeholders formed the Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition in 2018, adopting a strategic plan guided by a vision “for a community where no lives are lost to suicide” and using data, science, and collaborations to implement effective strategies.

Formation of the Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition, 2017

—The Coalition hosted two community town halls, “How Healthcare Helps Prevent Suicides,” and “Youth Mental Health & Wellness.”

—The Coalition launched the “Tompkins County Suicide Care Pathway Initiative” in 2025, bringing together hospitals, campus health centers, behavioral health clinics, and crisis responders to map and improve support and continuity of care across health sectors.

—Community nonprofits created the annual “Mental Health Support and Suicide Prevention for Schools in Tompkins County,” a booklet of information and resources, and distributed more than 200 copies to school personnel.

—The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Central New York chapter organized annual “Out of the Darkness” walks in the community and on the campus of Cornell University.

“Out of the Darkness” Walk at Cornell University, 2024

—AFSP, NAMI Finger Lakes, Mental Health Association, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service, and The Sophie Fund provided a robust array of suicide and mental health care trainings and support services including help hotlines.

—The Coalition launched an initiative to promote the Zero Suicide Model in the community’s healthcare systems; and top healthcare leaders formed the Tompkins County Zero Suicide Steering Committee in to implement the model within and across healthcare systems.

Launch of the Tompkins County Zero Suicide Steering Committee, 2022

—Cayuga Health and Tompkins County Whole Health embarked on Zero Suicide implementation plans.

—The Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service expanded its 988 call center staff from five to 42, expanded its coverage area to a total of 17 counties, and added call lines for LGBTQ+ and non-crisis emotional support.

DOWNLOAD Tompkins County Suicide Prevention

Scott MacLeod, co-founder of The Sophie Fund, said that his organization was grateful for Tompkins County’s advances in suicide prevention, but added that there was no room for complacency.

“People of all ages, including students on local college campuses, are dying by suicide in Tompkins County,” he said. “Nationwide, suicide remains the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-24.” He noted that the Coalition’s Suicide Care Pathway Initiative in 2025 showed numerous gaps in local suicide care, a need for more training in suicide prevention treatment protocols, and greater fidelity in the use of those protocols.

“We need continuous efforts to educate ourselves about risk factors and warning signs, to encourage people who are struggling to seek help, and to see suicide prevention best practices implemented by all providers. National Suicide Prevention Month is a call to action to step up the mission,” he added.

The Sophie Fund is a nonprofit organization advocating for improved mental health in Tompkins County. It was formed in 2016 in memory of Sophie Hack MacLeod, a Cornell University student who died by suicide that year.

If you or someone you know feels the need to speak with a mental health professional, you can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741-741.

Better Together? Definitely!

thesophiefund

The 4th annual Better Together for Mental Health event celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month took place on May 9 at Ithaca’s Stewart Park. It featured free food and massages; face painting, book giveaways, and carousel rides for kids; and dozens of information tables staffed by local mental health and wellness organizations.

“Programs provided resources on available services and programs in our community, along with family friendly activities to support mental health,” said Shannon Alvord, one of the organizers. “We are grateful to the people representing these wonderful agencies, who braved the weather to meet with the community and share about these essential resources.”

Kayla Eells of Health & Unity for Greg (HUG) gave out free copies of a children’s book on behalf of the Family Reading Partnership with sponsorship from The Sophie Fund.

“Between You and Me was an incredible book to hand out because its beautiful illustrations encompass what Better Together aims to achieve, promoting inclusion, awareness, and kindness in the mental health field,” said Eells.

This year’s sponsors included: Community Foundation of Tompkins County; Cayuga Health; Guthrie; THERM; True Insurance; Dryden Mutual Insurance Co.; Friends of Greg; Health & Unity for Greg; The Sophie Fund; Tompkins Community Bank; Visions Federal Credit Union; Beginnings Credit Union; Sciarabba, Walker and Co. LLC; and Lokey Studios.

Here’s a slideshow from Better Together 2026! (Photo credits: Tompkins County Whole Health; Racker; American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Central New York)

They Walk for Mental Health

thesophiefund

Nearly 200 mental health champions participated in the annual fundraising walk for the Finger Lakes affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at Ithaca’s Stewart Park on May 3, surpassing the organization’s $50,000 goal for NAMI’s support and education programs.

NAMI Finger Lakes Executive Director Sandra Sorensen and friend lead the way

Thirty-eight teams and countless individuals participated in the local NAMIWalks event this year, led by Bouyant Punk which collected $6,213, Together We Walk with another $4,619, and Team Archer with $3,338. Other teams hitting the $2,000 mark included PhenomiNAMInal with $2,495, Ithacares $2,461, and Deb’s Team $2,200.

David Archer was the No. 1 individual fundraiser, with $3,288. Other top individual fundraisers included: Sandra Sorensen (NAMI Finger Lakes executive director), Jae Sullivan, Meggin Rose, Bon Chiang, Jason Hungerford, Joni Spielholz, Howard Reid, Helen Ann Yunis, and Mollie Kristof.

Click here to DONATE

NAMIWalks fundraising continues online

The event’s keynote speaker was Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo, who thanked NAMI for helping fight the social stigma around mental health.

“Those of you who know me who have heard me speak at events like this before know that I’m very open about my own mental health challenges,” Cantelmo said. “I live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. One of the most important things we can do, in addition to raising awareness, is trying to work a little harder to destigmatize mental health challenges.”

“There’s an enormous number of folks who live with them. It’s not always easy to get out of bed in the morning, but we have to make that choice every day. We have to support our loved ones and they have to do the same. I’m just so grateful. Your city is behind you, really supportive of you being out here today, doing everything you’re doing.”

Another speaker was Serena Exantus, coordinator of NAMI’s Sharing Hope program, which is designed to bring mental wellness, conversation, and an open space for the Black community.

“The reason why I got involved in this initiative is because while I was very passionate about mental health, there was a gap in the community. As people who are navigating mental wellness, we need people who look like us and understand us and where we can relate to them. And that’s what’s so great about NAMI, that they create programs that meet people where they are.”

The event involved a 1-mile walk, a 5K “fun run,” games in the Kids Zone, massages by Attuned Life, snacks, and music by DJ Anthony. NAMI and other local mental health organizations staffed information tables sharing mental health resources available in the local community.

This year’s walk included a raffle of locally donated items: massages, gift certificates for local restaurants, wine, gift baskets, Science Center tickets, Strong Museum passes, New York Mets tickets, and sporting paraphernalia from local teams. 

NAMI Finger Lakes offers an array of peer-led programs that provide free education, skills training, and support for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness.

It operates a HelpLine where experienced volunteers answer calls for support and mental health resources. The number is (607) 252-6264.

According to NAMI Finger Lakes Program Manager Jason Hungerford, donations have enabled the organization to expand its programming and make a major impact over the past year. For example, NAMI has offered additional Family-to-Family mental health education classes, the Sharing Hope conversation series, and training for 60 additional first responders in NAMI’s Overwatch Peer Support.

Hungerford said that the chapter aided some 290 individuals through three unique support groups that meet twice a month. The organization has also reached more than 1,300 students and community members through mental health education and awareness presentations like Ending the Silence.

Sponsors of the 2026 NAMIWalks included Segal & Sorensen, Cayuga Health, Tompkins Community Bank, Wegmans, Cornell University, Guthrie, Cayuga Landscape, Excellus, del Lago Resort & Casino, Beginnings Credit Union, Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival, Howard Hanna, and Copper House Coffee.

NAMI Finger Lakes is one of some 600 local affiliates of the national organization, a grassroots mental health organization founded in 1979 dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI says its mission is to educate, support, advocate, listen and lead to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones.