The Current Scoreboard -- And the Future We Can Build Together

Over the past 3 years, I’ve spent hundreds of hours with youth, families, leaders, veterans, and individuals who are carrying burdens that often remain unseen.

Through Hearts & Horses, one truth has become impossible to ignore:

The statistics are real.

But they are not destiny.

The Scoreboard We Inherited

Today's youth are growing up in a world where:

• Suicide #1 or #2 cause of death, pending source, for ages 10-44 in Utah.

• 1 in 3 teens report prolonged sadness or hopelessness.

• 1 in 4 have seriously considered suicide.

• 1 in 4 report serious mental illness.

• 1 in 4 report moderate to severe social isolation....considered an epidemic by the US Sugeon General

• Nearly 3 out of 4 teens have been exposed to pornography.

• 1st exposure to pornography is age 10-13.

• 1 in 7 Utah children will experience sexual abuse before age 18.

• Substance abuse, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and self-harm continue to impact young people at alarming rates.

These statistics are difficult to hear.

But ignoring them doesn't make them disappear.

The purpose of discussing these realities is not to create fear.

It's to create awareness.

Because awareness creates protection.

The Real Crisis

I don't believe we're simply facing a suicide crisis.

I believe we're facing:

• A connection crisis.

• A purpose crisis.

• A resilience crisis.

• An awareness crisis.

Many young people are trying to navigate:

• emotions they don't understand,

• nervous systems they don't understand,

• relationships they don't understand,

• predators they don't understand,

• and purpose they have not yet discovered.

One of the greatest vulnerabilities in life is not what we don't have.

It's what we don't understand.

Knowledge truly is half the battle.

Knowing the right tools to use is the other half.

What the Horse Teaches Us

One of the reasons horses are such powerful teachers is because they don't pretend.

They don't hide.

They don't numb.

They don't spend years trapped in the stories of the past or fears of the future.

When something happens, they process it, move through it, and return to balance.

Humans often do the opposite.

We avoid.

We suppress.

We distract.

We numb.

We isolate.

We convince ourselves we're alone.

The horse reminds us that healing begins with honesty.

And honesty requires safety.

The Importance of the Herd

The horse survives because of the herd.

We do too.

Research continues to show that connection is one of the strongest protective factors against suicide, addiction, anxiety, depression, and many of the challenges facing our youth today.

The question isn't whether people struggle.

The question is:

Do they have a safe herd to help them through it?

The Family: Our First Herd

For most of us, the first herd we belong to is our family.

Not a perfect family.

A growing family.

A family where we learn:

• trust,

• belonging,

• service,

• communication,

• resilience,

• forgiveness,

• and love.

Strong families strengthen individuals.

Strong individuals strengthen families.

Strong families strengthen communities.

Strong communities change the future.

The family remains one of the most important building blocks of society.

The SWELL Framework

At SWELL Foundation, we believe resilience is built through three things:

Awareness

Know what's happening.

Understand your emotions, your nervous system, your relationships, your risks, and your purpose.

Tools

Know what to do.

Develop skills that help you navigate adversity, regulate emotions, build healthy relationships, and grow through life's challenges.

Herd

Know who to do it with.

Surround yourself with safe people who will support, encourage, challenge, and strengthen you.

Because you were never meant to walk alone.

The Future We Can Build

Imagine a generation that chooses:

• authenticity over perfection,

• connection over isolation,

• purpose over despair,

• courage over fear,

• service over selfishness,

• awareness over ignorance,

• healing over hiding.

Imagine stronger individuals.

Stronger families.

Stronger communities.

Imagine a future where more young people understand their worth, know how to ask for help, and have a herd that will walk beside them.

That is the future we are building.

Join the Herd

The statistics are real.

But they are not destiny.

Together, we can change the scoreboard of tomorrow.

If you believe in strengthening the rising generation through awareness, authenticity, connection, resilience, purpose, service, and belonging, we invite you to join us.

Join a community committed to growth.

Join a community committed to service.

Join a community committed to creating safer herds.

Join a movement committed to helping individuals, families, and communities thrive.

Join the Herd

📱 Visit: liveswell.co/joinherd

Because awareness creates protection.

Tools create change.

And the herd helps us through the storm.

You were never meant to walk alone.

— SWELL Foundation 🐴❤️🌲

Mission

To strengthen the rising generation, families, and communities through awareness, authenticity, connection, resilience, purpose, service, and belonging.

Vision

A world where individuals, families, and communities have the awareness, tools, and support needed to thrive, overcome adversity, and create safe herds where people feel seen, valued, and connected.

Who Is This For?

SWELL Foundation is for anyone who believes we can build a stronger future together.

This Is For You If...

You Are a Young Person

Trying to navigate life, relationships, emotions, purpose, faith, or challenges that sometimes feel overwhelming.

You want more awareness, better tools, stronger relationships, and a community that genuinely cares.

You Are a Parent

Who wants to strengthen your family, deepen connection with your children, and help prepare them for the challenges they will face.

You understand that being a parent isn't about being perfect—it's about being present, growing, and leading with love.

You Are a Youth Leader, Teacher, Coach, or Mentor

Who recognizes that today's generation needs more than information.

They need connection.

They need purpose.

They need safe adults who see them, believe in them, and help them grow.

You Are Someone Who Has Struggled

With anxiety.

Depression.

Loneliness.

Addiction.

Trauma.

Abuse.

Loss.

Self-doubt.

Or simply feeling like you don't belong.

You are not alone.

Your story matters.

Your life matters.

And healing is possible.

You Are Someone Who Wants to Make a Difference

You don't need to have all the answers.

You don't need to be an expert.

You simply want to help strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

You want to be part of the solution.

You want to help change the scoreboard of tomorrow.

What We Believe

We believe every person has inherent worth.

We believe awareness creates protection.

We believe knowledge is half the battle, and knowing the right tools to use is the other half.

We believe healing happens in safe relationships.

We believe strong individuals strengthen families.

We believe strong families strengthen communities.

We believe the family is the first herd we belong to and one of society's most important building blocks.

We believe the statistics are real.

But they are not destiny.

Join the Herd

Whether you are a youth, parent, leader, teacher, coach, mentor, veteran, or simply someone who wants to grow and help others do the same...

There is a place for you here.

Join us as we build:

• Greater Awareness

• Better Tools

• Stronger Herds

Together, we can strengthen the rising generation, strengthen families, and change the scoreboard of tomorrow.

📱 Join the Herd: liveswell.co/joinherd

You were never meant to walk alone. 🐴❤️🌲