May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remind people that no one should have to face a mental health challenge alone.

Through Illuminating Change, Members First Credit Union is honored to recognize Connor’s Climb Foundation as our May 2026 Beacon Partner. Based in New Hampshire, Connor’s Climb provides suicide prevention education and mental health awareness programs for youth, educators, families, and communities across the state.

Their work is rooted in love, loss, and a powerful commitment to helping young people recognize warning signs, reach out for support, and connect others to help when it is needed most.

A Foundation Built on Hope and Action

Connor’s Climb Foundation was founded in 2011 after the loss of Connor Ball, a high school student from Exeter, New Hampshire, who died by suicide. In the years since, Connor’s family, friends, and supporters have transformed their grief into action, building an organization dedicated to suicide prevention education and awareness.

Today, Connor’s Climb works throughout New Hampshire to equip youth, educators, parents, coaches, trusted adults, and community members with practical tools to support young people ages 10 to 24.

Their mission is to provide suicide prevention education by raising awareness, reducing stigma, and helping people recognize warning signs and connect to help. 

Making Prevention Education More Accessible

A major part of Connor’s Climb’s work happens in schools and communities through evidence-based suicide prevention programs, including SOS Signs of Suicide, trusted adult seminars, LGBTQ+ suicide prevention workshops, bullying prevention education, and programs focused on school connectedness.

The impact of these programs can be seen in the stories shared by educators.

One middle school counselor shared:

“SOS is an effective, age-appropriate program that we piloted with our 6th graders during the 2023-2024 school year. After implementing the program, we observed a significant number of students reaching out to the health teacher and guidance counselors—either for themselves or on behalf of others they care about. We are grateful for this program and will continue to use it.” [callout box]

These programs give students language, tools, and trusted pathways for asking for help. They also help adults recognize when a young person may be struggling and how to respond with care.

Creating Lasting Change Across New Hampshire

Connor’s Climb has also helped create long-term change at the state level. Their advocacy contributed to the passage of RSA 193-J in 2019, which requires annual suicide prevention education in New Hampshire middle and high schools.

That kind of systemic change means more students, educators, and school communities have access to prevention education year after year.

Each number represents a point of connection: a teacher better prepared to notice a warning sign, a student who knows how to reach out, a trusted adult ready to listen, or a community more willing to talk openly about mental health.

Young People Helping Lead the Way

Connor’s Climb also recognizes that young people have an important role to play in changing the conversation around mental health.

Cate, a senior at Exeter High School, shared why this work matters to her:

“I think young people have the power, through the media and social opportunities through school, to help spread awareness about the cause. I personally feel connected to the cause because I want to be able to help everyone the same way I helped my friends when they were in dark times in their lives.” [callout box]

Her words reflect the heart of Connor’s Climb’s mission: helping young people understand that they can support one another, speak up when something feels wrong, and connect a friend or classmate to a trusted adult.

A Shared Commitment to Community Well-Being

Connor’s Climb Foundation shared the following statement about being named Members First’s May Beacon Partner:

“Connor’s Climb Foundation is deeply grateful to Members First Credit Union for highlighting our work during Mental Health Awareness Month. Partnerships like this play a critical role in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and reminding individuals, especially young people, that they are not alone.

“At Connor’s Climb, our mission is to provide suicide prevention education by equipping youth, educators, and communities with the tools to recognize warning signs and connect to help. Support from community partners like Members First Credit Union allows us to continue offering these life-saving programs at no cost, expanding our reach and impact across New Hampshire.” [callout box]

Members First is proud to support Connor’s Climb and its commitment to protecting the health, safety, and future of New Hampshire’s young people. Financial well-being is deeply connected to overall well-being, and strong communities are built when people have access to the care, education, and support they need.

Learn More and Support Connor’s Climb

During Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to learn more about Connor’s Climb Foundation and the work they are doing to support youth suicide prevention education across New Hampshire.

Visit Connor’s Climb Foundation to learn more or find ways to support their mission.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect with free, confidential support (988 Lifeline).