A Coach’s Mission to End the Silence Around Teen Mental Health

Jeff Olson spent nearly four decades coaching high school football and basketball in Ishpeming, Michigan. The coach’s mission during that time helped mold countless young athletes and brought home three state titles. But sports couldn’t prepare him for the most devastating loss of his life—the death of his son, Daniel. He died by suicide just weeks before his 20th birthday. Jeff’s mission now is to end the silence around teen mental health. He joined Maino and the Mayor to share the story.

It’s a medical illness of the brain. Just like you’d get help for a torn meniscus or diabetes, people need to get help for depression and anxiety.

Jeff Olson, Founder of “Do It for Daniel”

Jeff describes Daniel as an “All-American kid.” A standout athlete, a state finalist quarterback, and a defensive MVP on the basketball court. He was a leader, a friend, a brother, and a son who inspired those around him with his drive and spirit. But beneath the surface, Daniel was silently battling a storm that too many young people face alone. He was anxious and depressed.

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Listen to the entire episode here:

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“He was good at everything,” Jeff says. “Tons of friends, girlfriends, great in school—everything looked perfect from the outside. But he started feeling different as early as sixth grade.”

Jeff and his wife began to notice subtle changes—mood swings, irritability, emotional withdrawal—but Daniel, like many teenagers, kept his pain to himself. It wasn’t until his junior year of high school that he admitted he was struggling and asked for help. By then, he had already survived one suicide attempt.

But Daniel continued to struggle. Jeff says therapy, medication, even unwavering love wasn’t enough. And after two years of college football at St. Norbert in De Pere, the pressure became too much. He returned home and took his life in 2012.

The family made a courageous decision. Just two days after Daniel’s death, while sitting in a funeral home, they vowed not to stay silent. They would instead speak out—not only to honor Daniel’s life, but to prevent other families from going through this same pain.

Their promise is the foundation of the Do It for Daniel movement. It’s a mental health awareness campaign centered around a powerful documentary featuring Daniel’s life and his struggles. Jeff’s raw, honest presentation accompanies it.

He has since traveled to hundreds of schools and communities across the Midwest, using his story to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness.

“This isn’t about weakness,” he explains. “It’s a medical illness of the brain. Just like you’d get help for a torn meniscus or diabetes, people need to get help for depression and anxiety. But too often, they feel like they can’t.”

Jeff also stresses that mental illness is not something you just “snap out of.” It’s complex, deeply personal, and different for everyone. His goal is to help both teens and adults recognize the symptoms, find the language to describe what they’re feeling, and give them the courage to come forward.

The documentary—shown in full or through powerful 14-minute clips—has moved thousands to tears, and more importantly, to action. Jeff says he often receives messages from students, teachers, and parents who credit the presentation for changing or even saving lives.

And for Jeff, that’s the point.

“I feel like I’m Daniel’s voice now,” he says. “Helping others understand what he couldn’t explain.”

And as Mental Health Awareness Month brings renewed attention to suicide prevention, Jeff’s message is more urgent than ever: listen, talk, support, and never assume someone is okay just because they seem fine.

Learn more about the movement at doitfordaniel.com or follow Do It for Daniel on Facebook.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

988 Crisis Lifeline Information here

Mental Health in Crisis Mode: How to Reclaim What You Can Control

National Alliance on Mental Illness – Wisconsin Help Page here

State Action Plan to Address Mental Health Crisis – Take the Survey here

Mental Health – America Wellness Page here