The Children's Foundation
David James Carr Memorial Fund for Mental Health
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our son, David James Carr, who unexpectedly passed away.
Story
On the afternoon of Thursday, September 24th we learned that our beloved son, David James Carr had passed away of natural causes in his Chicago Apartment. He was only 28-years old.
David struggled with mental illness including schizoaffective disorder, depression and anxiety since he was a teenager. He would refer to the delusions and paranoia associated with his mild psychoses as his Magical Thinking. It was in those early years that Diane and I realized the urgent need for increased awareness and attention on psychological wellness and services for young people. Unfortunately, not much has improved since then for parents and their children who are afflicted with these debilitating diseases.
Mental health disorders are the most common diseases of childhood - more than cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. One in five children suffers from a diagnosable mental, behavioral or developmental health disorder and only 20 percent of affected children receive the specialized treatment they need.
We are sharing this very personal story to provide comfort in our grief and to invite you to help us take action in David's name to provide the needed funding for other children and adolescents suffering with mental health issues. Diane and I are establishing the David James Carr Memorial Fund for Mental Health at the Children's Foundation, where I am a trustee, and respectfully ask for your support to improve the health and wellness of young folks in Michigan.
To learn more about The Children's Foundation, please visit yourchildrensfoundation.org