FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. – After the death of his 16-year-old daughter, a Fleming Island father is turning grief into action by launching a nonprofit aimed at connecting families to mental health resources and strengthening suicide prevention in Clay and Putnam counties.
Brandon Cumbo said his daughter, Mackenzie Helena Cumbo, was an outgoing teenager who loved music, sports and art and was “definitely a light everywhere that she went.”
Cumbo said Mackenzie died by suicide on March 24 after a struggle with mental health.
“A part of me died when Mackenzie died and I am not the same and I never will be,” Cumbo said.
Cumbo and his wife, Karina, started Mackenzie’s Light Foundation in her memory. Cumbo said his family knew Mackenzie had mental health struggles and she had been seeing a psychiatrist and therapist, but he said he did not see signs that she would take her own life.
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among youth and young adults, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Dr. Christine Caulfield, CEO of LSF Health Systems, said many factors can contribute to a young person’s mental health crisis, including pressures tied to social media.
“This causes a lot of distress for our teens, for our adolescents, for our children because they want to measure up,” Caulfield said.
One of the nonprofit’s services is the “Light Line,” which allows community members to submit a request form outlining a specific need. The foundation says it can help connect people to mental health referrals and support during crisis or emergency situations, and can also assist with basic needs such as food, essentials and housing emergencies.
Cumbo said the foundation has already helped families with urgent needs.
“We’ve had food delivered, we’ve paid electric bills to get electricity cut back on,” he said. “So just in that short time…we’re also going to start doing classes.”
The foundation is also planning public events intended to build community awareness and raise support. Organizers said a Mental Health Awareness car show is scheduled for May 23. Another free event titled “Protect Your Kids Online” is set for 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 29 at the Fleming Island Library, where parents and guardians can get hands-on help setting up parental controls.
“We hope to start hosting those monthly…here in Clay and Putnam counties,” Cumbo said.
The nonprofit has also established an annual Junior ROTC scholarship in Mackenzie’s name.
If you or someone you know needs help
- Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7.
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911.