Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents—but it doesn’t have to be. Across Louisiana, young people are stepping up to support one another in powerful ways. One of the most inspiring examples is the Peer Initiative (PILOT), a student-led mental health program based in Lake Charles that’s transforming how schools respond to crisis.
Spurred to action after the suicide of his son’s close friend, a local educator named Ken Brown partnered with other teachers and parents to create the Peer Initiative Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) program. PILOT teaches young people how to recognize the signs of suicide in their peers, how to talk with someone expressing suicidal ideation, and how to safely and confidentially share that information with an adult who can connect them to professional care.
Brown, a 2021 Angel Award honoree, has also developed partnerships with local universities to make sure professional care is available on-demand for students considering suicide. He and his student-leaders have also grown PILOT to cover more than half of the state, while also successfully lobbying for policy that makes it easier for students to access care.
“Our school experienced the loss of several students to suicide over a really short amount of time, including one of my son’s close friends. It wasn’t a teacher or counselor who got my son to open up about how he was feeling, but another student. So, we knew that if we could equip students with the skills to sit with someone and learn about what they’re going through, that could be a huge breakthrough,” Brown said.
Why it matters
PILOT is more than a program—it’s a lifeline. By training students to recognize signs of distress and connect their peers with professional help, PILOT is bridging the gap between crisis and care. This innovative approach is proving that early intervention, empathy, and connection can make all the difference.
As mental health challenges continue to rise among youth, programs like PILOT are essential. They not only provide immediate support but also foster a culture of openness and resilience in schools.
Watch the full video to see how PILOT is making a difference—and share it to help spread awareness about youth mental health. Together, we can support the next generation in building a healthier, more connected future.
To learn more about PILOT, visit their website or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “TALK” to 9-8-8.
About the Louisiana Blue Foundation
The Louisiana Blue Foundation makes grants to improve health outcomes for Louisiana’s people. Its grant programs are particularly focused on the social determinants of health, which are the everyday circumstances that influence a person’s health.
PILOT is one of many grants the Foundation has made to improve mental health access in Louisiana schools, including: