Josh Anderson Foundation

Josh was born on January 16, 1992. The youngest of four, his easy-going and good-natured disposition fit well into a busy family. He was a quiet kid but aware of everything, evidenced by a random comment or well-timed joke. At school, he made friends easily, with no discrimination. He had a kind soul and fun spirit who treated others with respect and generosity.

Josh was a talented athlete, playing youth and high school football and lacrosse.  Fierce on the field, yet laid back everywhere else – “chill” would be the description used by his friends.

Then tragedy struck.

Josh had a rough time the last eighteen months of his life, swinging from highs to lows. Initially, he got caught with marijuana at Langley High School, leading to a transfer to South Lakes High School. Despite the traumatic move, Josh was able to make a new home for himself – becoming a star linebacker on the Seahawks football team and easily surrounding himself with a new group of friends and a sweet girlfriend. His life was looking up.

Being a teenage boy, however, the link between action and consequence is intermittent, at best. In the days right before his death, he made another admittedly stupid decision and was again caught with marijuana on school grounds. This time, the consequences were severe – the high probability of expulsion from the traditional school system. He was devastated and ashamed.

Externally, he seemed to be coping reasonably well with this latest set-back, and it was clear other options were being explored. But his psyche was more fragile than anyone would know. Keeping all his thoughts and feelings inside, the situation became too much to bear. No one, not his parents, siblings, friends, girlfriend or professional counselor, knew the extent of his helpless and hopeless feelings. Unfortunately, he was either too inhibited to seek help or did not know where to go. And on March 18, 2009, the night before the second disciplinary school hearing, Josh made the fatal, irrevocable, irreversible and tragic decision to end his life.

What if he had received instruction in school on the warning signs of suicide? What if he was aware of the fact that teen brains are not fully developed and this was not the end of his world? What if he wasn’t concerned with the labels attached to someone admitting emotional and mental fragility? Would he have reached out for help? Would he still be alive?

The Josh Anderson Foundation's goal is to make sure that teenagers like Josh have the education, resources and support to reach out for help in that time of need. They are their last lines of defense. Lack of education and resources, coupled with the shame and stigma associated with suffering from a mental challenge make it near impossible for a teenager to be honest and seek help. JAF tries to fill these gaps - funding depression and anxiety awareness campaigns; equipping students with resource buttons, postcards and wallet cards; providing speakers to tell their real-life struggle with a mental illness; creating a forum for open conversation about mental health issues between students, teachers and parents. JAF's hope is that these programs will empower teenagers to seek help in that time of need.