Community Youth Wellness Research, Awareness, and Facilitation
A program of Human Well Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
But…
We can break the feedback loops
causing this epidemic.
We’re proving it’s possible
In Elk Grove, CA
Why Elk Grove?
It’s one of the most diverse and fastest growing cities in the U.S.
It’s a strong, connected community with over 30,000 7th–12th graders
It’s the home of our founder and director, Sean Robert Kennedy
How we serve
1 ->
Community Research
We gather insight from parents 60 minutes at a time
Confidential one-on-one remote interviews
Learning stories of struggle, crisis, and resilience
Discovering how parents support their kids today and what they hope for tomorrow
Must be a parent of a child 13-26 years old and a resident of Elk Grove, CA.
2 ->
Public Reporting
We share learnings with existing community programs
Anonymized insight from community interviews
Monthly reports shared publicly
Strategic partnerships with local mental health professionals, programs, and organizations
Program and policy support to improve local mental health resource equity — based on ongoing community research
3 ->
Local Events
We use our influence to bring people and support together
Local events inviting parents and youth to share their stories and learn from each other
Digital and in-person campaigns to reduce stigma and increase access to local resources
4 ->
School Support
We show up where parents already are
Attending school gatherings to share resources and raise awareness of the risk and protective factors of youth suicide
Partnering with schools and districts to support existing social and emotional learning programs
Must be an official representative of a school or school district within Elk Grove, CA
Our vision
Elk Grove, 2032
We see a future where rates of teen suicide attempts are below 1% in Elk Grove by 2032, the year Sean’s eldest child starts 9th grade.
2025: Launch
✅ Conducting community research
✅ Beginning local partnerships
🎯 Raising $100k
🎯 Organizing our first local event
2026-2032+: Engage & Expand
🎯 100 local partnerships
🎯 Partner with City and EGUSD
🎯 5k parent interviews yearly
🎯 12 local events yearly
🎯 Raise $10 million yearly
🎯 Employ 50 local residents
🎯 Expand program across U.S.
Loop Well is a program of Human Well Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
We aim to raise
$100k by the end of 2025
$2m in 2026
$10m in 2027
To help us
Employ 50 local residents
Connect 50k families with local mental health support
Fund community events
Make a donation
Parents:
Share your story
You can help save lives by spending 60 minutes with one of our researchers on a confidential video call to help us improve the way we and our partners provide support to the Elk Grove community.
Must be a parent of a child 13-26 years old and a resident of Elk Grove, CA.
Professionals:
Become a partner
We aim to officially partner with over 100 programs and mental health professionals supporting Elk Grove, CA — including The City of Elk Grove and the Elk Grove Unified School District. If you can help us, please get in touch.
Founder’s story
In the summer of 2021
Sean experienced a sudden fall into suicidal depression, almost taking his own life. He would have left behind his wife and two kids, his loving family and friends, and everything he has come to cherish today.
Cosumnes River Preserve
Galt, CA
June 2021
Sean’s second chance
He was lucky enough to be with his wife during his suicidal episodes that summer. The life she saved became a gift he vowed to never take for granted and he began work on what is now the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Human Well Center and our Loop Well Program.
Johnson Park
Elk Grove, CA
September 2021
Elk Grove and beyond
Sean’s life mission is to eliminate suicide everywhere, forever. But he knows there’s no better starting place than his own community. We plan to expand our efforts across the U.S. and then the world. But today, Sean is focused on ensuring the city his children grow up in is the mentally healthiest city possible. He wants to prove this change is possible for himself, his children, and all who have or may wrestle with despair.
Backer Park
Elk Grove, CA
March 2023
His children’s future
If one of a million variables had been different, Sean wouldn’t have seen his children grow. After years of loving support, therapy, personal discovery, and dedication to his own wellbeing, he fully recovered. And in that new stability, he decided he would do whatever he could to ensure his children would grow up in a world where suicide is not a risk they have to face.
Christmas Gathering
Granite Bay, CA
December 2024
From Sean, to you
Every day I wake up and see my children grow older, I am filled with overwhelming gratitude. I am here and I am grateful.
This work is dedicated to them, to my wife, to the future we have ahead of us, and to you.
Together, we will build a city, then a nation, then a world where suicide is no longer the third leading cause of death among teenagers and where our high schoolers don’t have a 1 in 10 chance of attempting suicide.
Thank you for being here with me. Thank you for your support. Thank you for being you.
Sean Robert Kennedy
Sean’s kids at home
Elk Grove, CA
May 2025
Insights, data, and sources
From the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023
40% of high school students (6.76 million / 16.9 million) felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in a row that they stopped doing their usual activities
20% (3.38 million) seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year
16% (2.7 million) made a suicide plan in the past year
9% (1.52 million) attempted suicide one or more times in the past year
2% (338,000) were required medical intervention from suicide-related injury in the past year
NCHS Data Brief on Suicide and Homicide Death Rates Among Youth and Young Adults Aged 10–24: United States, 2001–2021
For people aged 15-19, the suicide rate increased 57% (from 7.5 deaths per 100,000 to 11.8)
For people aged 10–14, the suicide rate tripled
WONDER Database: Underlying Cause of Death, 2018-2023, Single Race
As of 2023, Suicide is the third leading cause of death among high school-aged youths aged 14–18 years
Accidents (Unintentional injuries) – 3,732 deaths
Homicide (Assault) – 2,084 deaths
Suicide (Intentional self-harm) – 1,821 deaths
Cancer (Malignant tumors) – 624 deaths
Heart disease – 230 deaths
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among high school-aged youths aged 14–18 years
Among high school-age youths aged 14–18 years, 1,952 suicides occurred in 2021
Suicide accounted for approximately one fifth of deaths (18.6%) among this age group
105,000 youths aged 14–18 years visited emergency departments for self-harm injuries
Risk Factors for Suicide
Individual Risk Factors:
Previous suicide attempt
History of depression and other mental illnesses
Serious illness such as chronic pain
Criminal/legal problems
Job/financial problems or loss
Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
Substance use
Current or prior history of adverse childhood experiences
Sense of hopelessness
Violence victimization and/or perpetration
Relationship Risk Factors:
Bullying
Family/loved one's history of suicide
Loss of relationships
High conflict or violent relationships
Social isolation
Community Risk Factors:
Lack of access to healthcare
Suicide cluster in the community
Stress of acculturation
Community violence
Historical trauma
Discrimination
Societal Risk Factors:
Stigma associated with help-seeking and mental illness
Easy access to lethal means of suicide among people at risk
Unsafe media portrayals of suicide
Protective Factors against Suicide
Individual Protective Factors:
Effective coping and problem-solving skills
Reasons for living (for example, family, friends, pets, etc.)
Strong sense of cultural identity
Relationship Protective Factors:
Support from partners, friends, and family
Feeling connected to others
Community Protective Factors:
Feeling connected to school, community, and other social institutions
Availability of consistent and high quality physical and behavioral healthcare
Societal Protective Factors:
Reduced access to lethal means of suicide among people at risk
Cultural, religious, or moral objections to suicide
From the Elk Grove Unified School District
District Demographics & Data
Enrolled Students - 62,603
32,433 Grades TK-6
30,170 Grades 7-12
Student Demographics
10% African American
<1% American Indian
30% Asian
6% Filipino
28% Hispanic or Latino
2% Pacific Islander
15% White
9% Multiple or no response
Student Socio-Economics and Language Learners
53% Socioeconomically Disadvantaged
17% English Language Learners
14% Students with Disabilities
<1% Foster
2% Homeless
Census Data – Elk Grove, CA
44k families live in Elk Grove, CA
From U.S. Census via Data Commons
Before you go
If you haven’t already, please consider a one-time or monthly donation.
Your donations pay our dedicated staff of researchers, community advocates, clinicians, and creative/technical support.
Loop Well is a program of Human Well Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Contact us.
Sean and the Elk Grove Loop Well team would love to talk with you. Fill out the form, shoot us an email, or give us a call.
Email:
loopwell@humanwell.center
Phone:
(916) 900-1250