BOISE, Idaho — Idaho is facing a large public health issue with an increase in suicides. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says Idaho had the twelfth highest number of suicides in the US in 2022.
Jacob Stockton, a father in Boise, lost his son Kade Parrish to suicide in 2023 at fourteen years old and he has turned his pain into something positive.
On Saturday, Stockton held a suicide awareness benefit, "Stay; and Play," in remembrance of his son, and to promote fun and mental health care for children.
The benefit consisted of a kickball tournament and auction, with proceeds being donated to The Speedy Foundation, Magic Valley Suicide Awareness and Prevention, and I Love This Life.
Stockton said he chose those organizations for their work in the community, their positive outlooks, and because of happy memories of him and Kade visiting Twin Falls.
"The Stay; and Play" kickball tournament brought together family, friends, and supporters of Kade, as well as mental health organizations and advocates in the area.
Stockton conceptualized the athletic benefit for his son's love of sports.
He hopes to form an organization after this successful "Stay; and Play" benefit, and wants to continue working with children, creating a safe space to discuss mental health.
Stockton said he is looking forward to holding the event again next year.
At this inaugural "Stay; and Play" event, mental health resources were shared and made available to everyone in attendance.
"I think that building some support systems before you need them is important and figuring out what that even looks like and how to even go about it," Stockton told KTVB Saturday. "I'd love to be able to spread some of that message."
Stockton hopes the "Stay; and Play" benefit, and soon-to-be organization, will serve as inspiration and encouragement for people to keep pushing forward in hard times.
He said he never could have imagined himself putting together something like this, but the outpouring of support from the community gave him the strength to believe it was possible to bring people together in remembrance of Kade.
"If I can do this, like you can do anything, if you're willing to work hard and then do the hardest part of that work," Stockton said. "I'm a dreamer again for the first time in a long time."
Anyone who is experiencing a mental health crisis, or just needs someone to talk to, can call or text 988, or go to idahocrisis.org.