Gabe's 16th Birthday

Gabe's 16th Birthday supporting Gabriel’s Light
Gabriel’s Light

About the Cause

Gabriel's Light was founded by Carol and Brendan Deely in 2019, a year after losing their 12-year-old son to suicide. Inspired by their son Gabriel's life, and compelled by their loss, they hope that others may learn and grow from their tragedy. 

We forward our mission to prevent youth suicide through outreach, programs, and funding related to each of our three pillars: Education, Cyber Safety, and Kindness Campaigns. In addition, we maximize our efforts by partnering with a select few likeminded organizations and provide resources to parents, educators, and kids to inspire life-saving action.


This fall, Gabriel's Light will provide teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) training directly to youth.  Just as CPR helps assist an individual having a heart attack, teen Mental Health First Aid teaches how to understand and respond to signs of a mental health or substance use challenge in their friends and peers.

While we are proud to support suicide prevention programs in schools, teen Mental Health First Aid training connects directly with kids providing potentially life-saving education. We have instructors ready to be certified who can then train teens through clubs, sports teams, or even at local libraries. This more grassroots outreach provides immediate and powerful impact!


Why teen Mental Health First Aid?

  • 50% of adolescents ages 13-18 live with a mental disorder.  Source:  National Institute of Mental Health
  • 50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by the mid-20s.  Source: Archives of General Psychiatry
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth age 15-19.  Source: National Center for Health Statistics
We know that teens are mostly like to exhibit warning signs of depression and suicide to their peers. Additionally, we know that treatment for those who seek help is very successful. Teen education is a critical to preventing youth suicide!

Read more about the teen Mental Health First Aid program here!