What I Didn't Know
I didn't know what to do. I wanted to fix it. I wanted to protect her. I wanted to make it all better.
But I didn't have the tools. And neither did she.
Maddie was trying to figure out the instruction manual for her emotions. I was trying to decode it with her. We were both lost.
She needed more than I could give her. More than therapy alone could provide.
She needed someone safe. Someone outside the family. Someone who wasn't trying to fix her or manage her or control her.
She needed a guide. Not a parent. Not a therapist. Just someone who got it.
I didn't know that then. I know it now.
Why The MentorWell Exists
The MentorWell was built for the parents who are seeing the signs but don't know what they mean.
For the teens who are struggling in silence because they don't want to disappoint anyone.
For the families who need support before it becomes a crisis.
This work is personal. It's also urgent.
I can't bring Maddie back. But I can help other parents see what I missed.
And maybe, just maybe, that'll be enough.
Maddie’s Story: The Heart Behind The MentorWell
Maddie was my daughter. My bright light.
She was kind, funny, and full of potential. But like a lot of teens, she carried more than she let on.
Looking back, I can see it now. The warning signs were there. I just didn't know what I was looking at.
What I Missed
My business went bankrupt. We moved. Then we moved again. Maddie changed schools twice in two years, just when she was starting to find her footing.
On top of that, her mom and I divorced.
Each of these things alone would've been hard. Together, they were too much for a 14-year-old to carry.
Maddie started to pull away. I pushed harder. I thought more rules, more structure, more control would help.
It didn't. It just widened the gap between us.
The Night Everything Changed
It was a Friday. Maddie was supposed to be home studying for exams. Instead, she snuck out to a party.
I found her hiding in a closet. Crying. Overwhelmed. I brought her home, tucked her into bed, kissed her forehead, and said, "Tomorrow's a new day."
That night, Maddie tried to end her life for the first time.
It wouldn't be the last.
.
Who We Are
The MentorWell was founded by a parent who didn't recognize the warning signs until it was too late.
My daughter, Maddie, struggled in silence. Not because she didn't show me. Because I didn't know what I was looking for.
This organization exists so other parents don't miss what I missed.
We help parents recognize early warning signs of teen mental health struggles, start difficult conversations, and take action before it becomes a crisis. We support teens through mentorship that meets them where they are — not where we think they should be.
Our work focuses on foresight, not hindsight. On noticing, not waiting. On connection, not intervention after the fact.
We offer parent workshops, one-on-one mentorship for teens, group support, and resources designed for families navigating mental health challenges together.
This isn't just what we do. It's why we exist..
What Maddie Needed (And Didn't Get)
Maddie needed someone outside the family. Someone who wasn't her parent. Someone who wasn't trying to fix her or manage her or tell her what to do.
She needed a guide. Someone safe. Someone who would listen without judgment.
Therapy wasn't the right fit for her. It felt too formal, too clinical. She shut down in those rooms.
What she needed was a mentor. Someone relatable. Someone who'd been through hard things and come out the other side. Someone who could help her carry the weight without making it feel heavier.
She didn't have that. And I didn't know to look for it.
Why Mentorship Matters
Teens resist therapy. Not because they don't need help — but because it doesn't always feel like the right kind of help.
Mentors aren't therapists. They're not parents. They're trusted guides who meet teens where they are.
They listen. They share their own stories. They help teens figure out who they are without pressure to have it all together.
Mentorship isn't a replacement for therapy. Some teens need both. Some need one or the other. There's no single right answer. It's about finding what actually works for your teen
For a lot of teens, that's what makes the difference. Not clinical intervention. Just connection.
The Space Between Childhood and Adulthood
There's a stage where teens are testing independence, pushing boundaries, trying to figure out who they are. It's messy. It's confusing. And it's where they need the most support.
Without it, that space can feel overwhelming. Full of self-doubt, isolation, and fear.
With the right mentor, it becomes something else. A place where they can ask hard questions, make mistakes, and figure things out without feeling like they're disappointing everyone around them.
Maddie didn't have that. I wonder, every day, how her story might have been different if she had.
What This Is Really About
The MentorWell is Maddie's legacy. But it's not just about her.
It's for the parents who are doing their best and still feel like it's not enough.
It's for the teens who are struggling in silence because they don't want to burden anyone.
It's for the families who need help before things fall apart.
You don't have to have all the answers. You don't have to do this alone.
And if you're a teen reading this: you're not broken. You're just figuring things out. That's what growing up is.
But you don't have to do it alone either.