CHADS Coalition for Mental Health
Mental Health CareMissouri, United States51-200 Employees
CHADS Coalition for Mental Health is a Missouri-based nonprofit focused on advancing knowledge and prevention of adolescent depression and suicide through awareness, education, family support, and research. Founded in 2004 by Larry and Marian McCord after the death of their son Chad, the organization operates within the mental health care sector and serves school-aged youth through schools and community programs, with its base in the St. Louis area. It runs three main programs: Signs of Suicide (SOS), CHADS Social-Emotional Mentoring anchored in CASEL competencies, and the Family Support Program that helps parents and caregivers navigate services and decision-making. These programs engage middle and high school students as well as parents, educators, and counselors to recognize warning signs, develop social-emotional skills, and support well-being alongside academic outcomes. CHADS has formed partnerships with school districts, including Hannibal and ECUSD7, to expand access to training and resources that improve adults' ability to identify depression and suicide risk.