Carlisle Companies Inc. has always been active in the communities in which it operates. So when the company relocated its headquarters to Phoenix in 2016, it was important to develop relationships with organizations that aligned with the company’s philanthropic focus areas: mental health, veterans, education and civility. In 2020, Carlisle began a philanthropic relationship with Phoenix Children’s.

“Investing in our communities—whether with our time, energy or money—leads to positive changes that are ultimately good for all of us,” says Carlisle Chairman, President and CEO D. Christian “Chris” Koch.

Arizona's mental health crisis

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. was facing a mental health crisis, and Arizona was one of the hardest-hit states. In fact, the Grand Canyon state is 35th in the nation for mental health, according to Mental Health America, which takes into account the number of people with mental health problems and access to care. The pandemic, of course, only exacerbated the problem.

“As we did our research, the scale of the mental health crisis in our country became clear,” Koch says. “And we were alarmed by the number of people struggling—our family members, employees, veterans and so many more. As a business leader, I was struck by the crisis. As a human being, I was struck by the crisis.”

Still worse, the crisis is not limited to adults.

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for Arizona children up to age 14 and the second-leading cause of death for adolescents ages 15 to 19, according to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. On any given day, Phoenix Children’s treats up to 45 patients while they are on a mandatory hold for suicidal ideation or waiting for an opening at an inpatient behavioral health facility. The average age of patients coming in with suicidal ideation is 12, but Phoenix Children’s has treated children as young as 5.

Becoming part of the solution

In 2022, Koch learned about a new project Phoenix Children’s was developing to prevent suicide and suicide attempts among kids and teens, headed by Jared Muenzer, MD, MBA, Physician-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of Phoenix Children’s Medical Group.

“It became clear after numerous discussions with Dr. Muenzer that traditional methods for treating mental health issues in children and adolescents were not the most effective and weren’t leading to the best possible outcomes,” Koch says. “It was also clear that the mental health crisis in children and adolescents in Arizona was not improving at the pace needed to match the challenge.”

Phoenix Children’s Suicide Prevention Program will draw on the expertise of Phoenix Children’s behavioral health experts and provide international best practices to patients and families. Thanks to a financial commitment from Carlisle, the pilot program will launch this year with a goal of reducing childhood deaths by suicide and suicide attempts through the use of strategic preventive tools and targeted parental education. The program also includes a dedicated specialist to work with families and social workers to help ensure children with suicidal ideation return to a safe home after being released from the hospital and then continue to receive expert ongoing care.

The hope is that the Suicide Prevention Program will have a significant effect on families in crisis and will then be used as a model for other programs across Arizona and even nationally so more communities can benefit from innovative, lifesaving mental health care.

Koch and his wife, Amy, have been particularly moved by the mental health crisis and impressed with Dr. Muenzer and the progress of the program—so moved that, in addition to Carlisle’s investment, the Kochs, who are longtime Phoenix Children’s supporters, decided to contribute personally to the project.

“We are proud to be part of the Phoenix Children’s community of contributors,” Koch says. “Mental health solutions are important to us, and we hope to help drive change.”

Help Arizona Children Thrive with Mental Health Care

 

Partner with Phoenix Children's Suicide Prevention Program and help save lives.

Related Stories

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

A nurse administers chemotherapy to a child.Text change 1: Ellie is a budding fashionista, an aspiring equestrian, and an avid dancer and gymnast. She also has a rare metabolic disorder, but she doesn’t let it define her.

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

Text Change 2: As we celebrate Phoenix Children’s 40th anniversary this year, we’re also looking to the next 40 years and beyond. Read the 2022 annual report to find out where we’re going and how we’re growing.

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

Text Change 3: In February, Desert Financial Foundation, Credit Union and employees donated more than $1 million to support Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School—and they also had a surprise for a former patient.

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

Text Change 4: In February, Desert Financial Foundation, Credit Union and employees donated more than $1 million to support Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School—and they also had a surprise for a former patient.

More from the May 2023 newsletter:

Oliver’s Mind: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and one courageous 12-year-old is opening up about his mental health challenges in the hopes of reaching others who are struggling.

More from the May 2023 newsletter:

Mother Amy smiling at the camera, holding her baby, Drew.The Power of a Mother’s Love: As she prepares to celebrate Mother’s Day with her baby daughter, a first-time mom reflects on what it’s like to care for a child with a life-threatening medical condition.

More from the May 2023 newsletter:

Introducing Our 2023 Patient Ambassadors: Meet the eight patients who are serving as Phoenix Children’s ambassadors this year: Joey, Sutton, Joy, Nash, SJ, Chase, Elilai and CC.

Ellie sits at her kitchen table after her family sang the "Happy Birthday" song to her. Her cake is in front of her.A Life Worth Celebrating: Ellie is a budding fashionista, an aspiring equestrian, and an avid dancer and gymnast. She also has a rare metabolic disorder, but she doesn’t let it define her.

Looking to the Future: As we celebrate Phoenix Children’s 40th anniversary this year, we’re also looking to the next 40 years and beyond. Read the 2022 annual report to find out where we’re going and how we’re growing.

The Gift of Knowledge: In February, Desert Financial Foundation, Credit Union and employees donated more than $1 million to support Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School—and they also had a surprise for a former patient.