Shattering the Stigma: Francine Sumner on Youth Mental Health & Saving Lives
In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with Francine Sumner, founder and CEO of Kid in the Corner, a youth mental health awareness and suicide prevention nonprofit. After the devastating loss of her youngest son, Francine transformed grief into action—building a program that meets kids where they are, breaks down stigma, and equips students with life-saving tools to support themselves and one another.
From schools that resist mental health conversations to the power of peer-to-peer support, Francine shares what truly keeps her awake at night—and why normalizing mental health care as early as elementary school can change lives.
🎯 Inside This Episode:
• Why stigma—not funding—is the biggest barrier to youth mental health support
• The Penny Pledge program: teaching kids to care for themselves and each other
• Reaching students as young as 4th grade with age-appropriate mental health tools
• Turning personal tragedy into a statewide mission serving 5,000+ students yearly
• Leadership lessons for mission-driven entrepreneurs: focus, team-building, and staying mission-tight
📌 Work With / Connect:
• Kid in the Corner — youth mental health awareness & suicide prevention programs
• Free in-school programming for elementary through high school students
• Website: kidinthecorner.org
• Social: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Email: info@kidinthecorner.org
• Annual fundraiser: Shatter the Stigma Gala — March 21 at the Legacy Ballroom (Phoenix)
🔔 Subscribe to WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV for more conversations with leaders turning purpose into impact.
📣 Drop a comment: How do you think we can better support youth mental health in schools and communities?
🔑 Hashtags:
#FrancineSumner #KidInTheCorner #YouthMentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #ShatterTheStigma #NonprofitLeadership #MentalHealthAwareness #WhatKeepsYouAwakeTV
