When her brother took his own life in May 2019, Wayne resident Kim Richter, a mother of four and a former All-American lacrosse player at Tufts University, realized the importance of talking about mental health and suicide, writes Christian Red for the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

With the rise in suicides among women college athletes, Richter and her husband, Jamie, especially focused on their two oldest daughters, Kelsey and Eloise, who were close to their college years when their uncle died.

The couple was open about the topic and continued to keep that channel of communication available if and when any of their children wanted to talk. 

“Right from the get-go, my message to my kids was, ‘If you’re ever feeling sad, and you can’t handle it, know we’re here for you. Know you can tell us,’” said Richter. 

With her daughters now in college and Kelsey playing lacrosse at Division III Williams, Richter can see all the challenges kids in college face, even when given the tools to balance their mental well-being.

“Take athletes, who are balancing lots of stresses: grades, athletics, crazy scheduling,” Richter said. “It doesn’t stop.” 

Read more about Kim Richter in the Philadelphia Inquirer.