Supporting Mental Health in Tompkins Schools

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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

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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

When You Reeaally Don’t Feel Like Cooking

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Mental health challenges can sometimes make performing daily activities incredibly difficult for college students. Cooking and eating a meal can feel like an impossible task if you are having trouble getting out of bed.

While studying for my Masters in Public Health at Cornell University, I wanted to create something that would bridge mental health and physical health. I chose to create a cookbook that combines easy-to-make, healthy recipes with mental health tips and encouragement. The result is Recipes to Make When You Reeaally Don’t Feel Like Cooking, which I produced for The Sophie Fund.

DOWNLOAD Recipes to Make When You Reeaally Don’t Feel Like Cooking

Filled with nutritious, heart-warming recipes submitted by fellow Cornell students, the cookbook is designed to support students in preparing and eating healthy meals during periods of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. (Of course, the recipes are good for all students regardless of the current state of their mental health!)

Recipes to Make was made possible with the help of all the Cornell students who kindly shared their recipes and the incredible support from mentors who guided me along the way. I’m deeply grateful for everyone’s willingness to participate in this project, whether it be through a recipe submission or a piece of advice.

I would love to see my Cornell peers engage with the cookbook by trying out the recipes, sharing their own favorite recipes with friends, or even submitting a recipe themselves for future editions! I hope that when Cornell students use this cookbook, they remember that they are not alone in their experience and that they think of each recipe as a sign of support from a fellow student. 

—By Emily Lui

Emily Lui is a 2026 graduate of Cornell Public Health’s Master of Public Health program.

Preventing Suicides in Tompkins County

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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.

Tompkins Parents: Free Help for Kids Mental Health Struggles

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When a child is struggling, the people who love them most may not realize how much they are hurting or know what to say. Join youth suicide prevention expert Jonathan B. Singer, PhD, LCSW, for practical guidance on recognizing the signs, starting difficult conversations, and helping a child feel heard and supported.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

8:00–9:30 p.m. ET

Live on Zoom

For tickets, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keeping-kids-safe-tickets-1993347617383?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

For FREE admission, use Promo Code: Sophiefund18

In this presentation, attendees will learn how to:

*See the common risk factors and warning signs, even when a child appears to be doing well.

*Say the right words to ask directly about suicide with calm and confidence.

*Support a struggling child in a way that helps them feel heard, believed, and less alone.

This event is intended for parents and caregivers of children in grades K–12, as well as educators and school professionals who support young people.

[The Sophie Fund expresses its gratitude to The Wellness Institute, a division of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, for providing free access to this presentation for the Tompkins County community.]