NNews January 2025

17 January 2025 “We were told we can’t talk to kids, but we did anyway – and nowwe are asked to talk to kids,” stated Tricia Baker, Attitudes In Reverse® (AIR®) co-founder, about her and her family’s non-profit. This is just one example of AIR’s innovation and perseverance that has made it so impactful since it was founded in 2010. After the loss of their son and brother Kenny in 2009, parents Kurt and Tricia Baker and their daughter Katelyn faced discrimination from Kenny’s school and the community due to a lack of understanding of mental health disorders. AIR was born from the discrimination that the Bakers experienced. The organization’s name was inspired by Katelyn’s observation that “Mental illness is like air. Just because you don’t see it, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. It’s all around us.” Since 2010, AIR has educated more than 250,000 students from kindergarten through college age, as well as adults, about mental health and, for the high school and older audiences, about mental health disorders and suicide prevention. In fact, AIR is the first mental health education organization to educate elementary school students. Their approach, success and education all contribute to their tremendous impact on children, young adults and adults who listen to their presentations. AIR has a variety of strategies, including a unique approach to encouraging people to engage in conversations surrounding mental health issues — dogs. Goober, one of AIR’s specially trained and certified therapy dogs, encouraged a young student to open up about emotional difficulties and agreeing to have a counselor help her simply after being allowed to pet him. Attitudes In Reverse® Saves Lives through Innovative Educational Programs and Partnerships with Dogs (continued on page 18) “ The Coming Up for AIR® program highlighted some myths and facts about mental illness. Tricia Baker also told the students about the struggles they had witnessed within their own family; she shared their personal struggles with her son’s suicide, as well as others’ reactions to his passing away. This personal revelation touched a chord in many of the students and staff at Schor. Students appeared interested in the program and it brought to light concerns that encouraged the students to reach out to the counseling department . ” Kaitlin G. Gonzales, Psy.M Behaviorist/School Psychologist Theodore Schor Middle School