Milton and Tina Nagel from the Lucas Nagel Foundation, along with Susan Runnels from the Human Services Council, made a presentation at the May Board of Education meeting.
Mr. Nagel acknowledged that May is Mental Health Awareness Month and as such, wanted to share information about the Lucas Nagel Foundation. He explained that the foundation was created after the family lost their son Lucas to mental health issues when he took his own life.
“Our goal is to increase awareness of the issue,” he explained, adding that while their work is not limited to first responders, their focus is more on that segment of the population. “They put their lives on the line every day in some capacity or another, and are exposed to more traumatic events over the course of their career than the average citizen.” He added that the prolonged exposure to traumatic events causes first responders to have specific issues that other people do not. At the same time, they experience a stigma that prevents them from getting the help they need.
The Foundation is focusing on Caroline County currently but hopes to expand their reach over time to the Mid-Shore. Mr. Nagel shared that there were many ongoing efforts including a recently formed Mid-Shore coalition for mental health and suicide prevention under the direction of Channel Marker, For All Seasons, and the Lucas Nagel Foundation.
Regarding their partnership with the Caroline Human Services Council (HSC), Mr. Nagel explained that Director Susan Runnels reached out and offered support, knowing that promoting the Foundation would bring increased awareness to the issue.
With the HSC’s financial support, a selection of books on mental health and suicide prevention were provided to all first responders in Caroline. Similarly, the Foundation purchased books appropriate for school counselors and CCPS Mental Health Coordinator Cara Calloway. These books were presented at the Board meeting to be passed along to CCPS staff.
Mr. Nagel said, “We are blessed to have folks like Susan in Caroline who are forward thinking and aware of the needs.” He added they were also blessed, “… to live in Caroline where we are close enough to know each other and can reach out and make things like this happen.”
Ms. Runnels added that she appreciated the HSC board members, specifically those in attendance, Pastor John Allen and Superintendent Derek Simons. “They try to see what the need is in the community, and address it when we have money available.”
Dr. Simmons thanked them for their work and their generous donation which would benefit students and staff alike.
To learn more about the Lucas Nagel Memorial Fund or to make a donation, please visit their Facebook page or website.