The Kyle Jones Foundation was formed by the family and friends of Kyle Jones, a young man who left love, kindness, and laughter wherever he went and unfortunately, left this world too soon. Losing Kyle was one of the hardest moments of so many people's lives. We are dedicated to supporting teens and young adults who may be experiencing feelings of isolation or hopelessness, aiming to ensure that no individual faces such challenges alone.

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The prevalence of mental health concerns among adolescents and young adults has reached unprecedented levels, while available resources and support services continue to diminish—particularly for those who lack adequate insurance coverage. We want to find ways to change that and to help those individuals and their families find resources and programs to walk with them on this journey. If we only change one life, it will all be worth it. But we truly believe our purpose is to step out and start talking about the hard things, the real things, and the messy things too many people find themselves trapped in and feeling as if they have no way out. The more people we all work together, the better chance we have of saving other lives.

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According to the World Health Organization, suicide claims more than 703,000 lives annually, making it the fourth leading cause of death worldwide for individuals aged 15-29. Behind each number is a person, and every suicide is a tragedy that impacts families, communities, workplaces, schools, and organizations. The Northwest Alabama region has experienced significant impacts over the past two years, and Alabama’s suicide rate has remained above the national average for over a decade.

In the U.S., suicide occurs every eleven minutes, with increasing attempts among high schoolers and preteens. In 2024, 10% of high school students reported attempting suicide, and NIH research indicates that suicide rates among preteens (ages 8-12) have increased by approximately 8% each year since 2008. In 2022, suicide ranked as the second leading cause of death among individuals ages 10-14 and 25-34, and the third leading cause among those ages 15-24.

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In Northwest Alabama, the prevalence of mental health challenges among teenagers is notably high. In Lauderdale County, statistics indicate that a teen experiences a mental health crisis approximately every three days, and a suicide attempt occurs every three weeks. In 2024, there were 20 recorded suicide attempts and 129 mental health crises among teens. Current projections for 2025 suggest these figures may double or exceed previous rates.

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Suicide is a significant public health issue, and individuals’ reasons for thinking about suicide are as complex and varied as those individuals themselves, however, proper knowledge and intervention skills can make a difference. Crucially, anyone equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills can play a role in supporting those experiencing suicidal thoughts.

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Our society places a heavy importance on people in distress to seek help themselves and, of course, this is essential. But what about the rest of us? What about offering help?

That is where we think we can help.  The Kyle Jones Foundation has partnered with the Lauderdale County Board of Education Social Workers to work together to implement training for community members and to find more ways to train school staff and administrators. We have also partnered with other community members and groups to offer support for programs such as Special Olympic teams, to help place welcoming counseling spaces on campus for students, as well as other community outreaches. We also host a monthly game night that offers teens and young adults a safe and friendly environment surrounded by others who care about them.