Latest news with #TeamofMercy
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
From heartbreak to hope; suicide loss survivor says 'You are not alone'
FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — According to the CDC in 2023, suicide was the second leading cause of death among those ages 10 to 34. Losing a loved one to suicide is a pain that's nearly impossible to put into words. But in Sullivan County, one couple is doing just that—finding the words, sharing their story, and helping others find hope again. It's a mission born out of heartbreak and now, healing. On the county road next to Westlawn Cemetery in Farmersburg, Mike Frey spins the tires against the pavement in the truck he and his son, Cade, once restored together. They call them 'Burnouts for Cade.' A cloud of smoke. A roar of horsepower. A father's way of saying, I love you, I miss you. 'It has helped us grieve'; loved ones share the silver lining of organ donation after loss 'Cade was my son,' Mike said. 'He passed away from suicide, November 24, 2020. He had just graduated from high school at Sullivan. An amazing young man, he was a race car driver at the quarter midget track in Terre Haute, he loved motocross, he loved making people laugh and smile more.' Mike went on to describe his last interactions with his son and talked about the plans he had for the year. 'We did not see this coming,' he said as a silence fell over him. 'No one saw this coming.' Cade Frey took his life the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. 'I remember that day when I found him,' Mike said. 'There was nothing else we could've done for Cade,' Mike said as he was overcome with emotion. 'There was just nothing they could do.' Cade's organs were donated, and he saved five lives. But his absence left a void that Mike and his companion Rebecca are still learning to live with. 'I go by every single morning, by the graveside, and tell my son good morning, and try to go by every single evening and tell him goodnight,' Mike said. Their journey led them to Team of Mercy, a nonprofit based in Terre Haute that helps those left behind after losing a loved one to suicide. Snow angels made to honor life of Sullivan High School student 'We went to our first meeting in Terre Haute and have been going ever since for the last five years, every month,' he said. The couple now leads Team of Mercy's monthly survivor support group in Sullivan. 'It's just a place we can connect with others in Sullivan who are going through the same thing we are,' Mike said. 'Being around people who have experienced what you've gone through and what you've lost is very, very important because then you realize that you aren't alone, that you are sharing this with other people,' Rebecca said. 'I honestly feel if we didn't have Team of Mercy helping us through all of this, I'm not so sure we would get out of bed some days,' she added. Christina Crist knows that pain all too well. She lost her daughter Hannah to suicide in 2013 and became one of the driving forces behind Team of Mercy. 'Hannah, at the time of her death, was 15 years old, a sophomore at South High School. It had rocked our community's world to know that a 15-year-old, let alone thought about suicide, but actually took her life,' Christna said. Christina described Hannah as tears filled her eyes, 'A fun-loving kid. Charismatic, loving, caring,' she said. 'Kids described her as someone who, if they would be having a bad day and Hannah would notice that and do whatever she could to make sure they were going to have a better day.' A decade later, Christina's grief hasn't faded — but it has evolved. And through her pain, she's found a purpose. 'You will never ever, ever get over this,' Christina said. 'You're not supposed to. But what we learn to do is live in it. We learn to thrive in it, we learn to go on, we figure out how to still hold a piece of our loved ones.' For Christina, it's white butterflies. She spotted one when she sat down for this interview. She said the butterflies may have always been there, but it was after her daughter's death that she started noticing them. 'For almost 13 years, my other daughter and I, whenever we see a white butterfly, we say 'Hi Hannah.' Do I really think that's Hannah in that butterfly?' she questioned. 'No. No. But we find ways to bring joy in such absolute gut-wrenching pain. And if it's a white butterfly, 'Hi Hannah, hi.' And with every story shared—every burnout, every butterfly, every meeting—these survivors are making sure that their loved ones' stories never fade. 'I've lost my son, I can't feel any worse than I do,' Mike says as he chokes up. He takes a moment and then continues. 'There is nothing you could do to me to make me feel any worse after losing him. But if I could help one family from feeling that way, another family, that's all I want,' he added. As the white smoke from the burnout rises across the cemetery and over Cade's gravestone, so does Mike's message, 'You are not alone.' If you've lost a loved one to suicide, Team of Mercy wants you to know that you don't have to walk that journey alone. Mike and Rebecca host the Suicide Loss Support Group in Sullivan on the third Monday of each month from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Abundant Grace Church. It's located at 671 W Wolfe St., behind Walmart in Sullivan. The next meeting is happening on Monday, June 16. For more information on Team of Mercy, click here. If you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by clicking here. You can also text or call the hotline by dialing 988. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Team of Mercy's 12th 'Surviving the Color' set for May 17
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The 12th annual 'Surviving the Color' run/walk is set to bring color, community and hope to Terre Haute on May 17. 'Everybody is invited,' Christina Crist, Executive Director for Team of Mercy, said. 'Get your dogs, get your grandparents, get your parents, get your kids, get your youth group, your athletic teams, get whoever, your friends. Grab someone that you know is struggling, most importantly.' The event is organized by the Team of Mercy to raise awareness for suicide prevention while honoring lives lost. The day begins at 9:00 a.m. at Brown and Ohio Streets in Terre Haute with an opening ceremony. The ceremony includes guest speakers and a butterfly release. WATCH: Paint the Town Pink to raise funds for mammograms 'Life is taken away when someone takes their life,' Crist said. 'So, we incorporated the butterfly release to show giving life back into our community.' The 5K run winds through Deming Park, where participants will be covered in color. After the run, food, music, and mental health resources will be available. 'I didn't know or understand how much mental health and suicide affected our area until it happened to me,' Crist said. 'So, I want to reach those individuals who are in my shoes.' Crist lost her 15-year-old daughter Hannah to suicide. 'My why is all of the Hannahs out there, who struggle a silent battle of stigma, or whatever it may be, that is silent, and they think that they're alone,' Christ said. Registration is underway now. In order to receive a t-shirt, registration must be completed by Friday, May 9. Participants can sign up until the day of the race, but will not receive a t-shirt after that date. To sign up for the race, click here. For more information on Team of Mercy, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WATCH: Team of Mercy Color Run coming up this month
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A local group, Team of Mercy, is preparing for its annual Surviving the Color Run. Funds raised go to benefit the organization. Team of Mercy assists survivors of suicide in the Wabash Valley. Christina Crist joined David and Jen Tuesday morning to talk more about the upcoming event and the work her organization does. You can see the full interview at the top of the page. CLICK HERE for more information. Each year, Surviving the Color is dedicated in memory to those lost in our local community to suicide. All Participants will receive: – An awesome Surviving the Color t-shirt* – A custom Surviving the color bib# with your name printed on it** – 8 total color stations where you will be drenched in color! – Post-race food and refreshments – A rocking post-race DJ concert! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Terre Haute firefighter completes 5K in full gear for a cause
HILLSDALE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Terre Haute Fire Department Probationary Firefighter Kayla Lueking partnered with Team of Mercy to support mental health awareness by competing in the Vermillion Trails Alliance Victory Races 5K on Saturday. Lueking completed the 5K while wearing full firefighting gear, breathing air from her self-contained breathing apparatus and carrying a Haligan tool. Adding nearly one hundred pounds to her load. As a participant, Lueking has raised $2,500 so far but there's still time to donate and help her bring awareness to the mental health of first responders and the entire community. RELATED: Local firefighter on a mission to raise funds for Team of Mercy To learn more about Lueking's effort or to make a donation to the Team of Mercy in support of Kayla Lueking's completion of the Vermillion Trails Alliance Victory Races 5K, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WATCH: Local firefighter on a mission to raise funds for Team of Mercy
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A local firefighter with the Terre Haute Fire Department is on a mission to raise money for Team of Mercy, a local group that assists those who have lost a loved-one to suicide. She joined us Tuesday morning on WTWO Today to talk about the project, along with her captain, Nick Arnold, and Christina Crist with Team of Mercy. You can see the full interview at the top of the page. CLICK HERE to donate CLICK HERE for more information about Team of Mercy Crist says, ''It's going to take all of us focusing on mental health and working together. That's exactly what community means, right? It's no coincidence that, end of the community, is the word 'unity.' It's going to take us all to do that.' The money raised will go to benefit Team of Mercy's new Wellness Center. The wellness program will assist those in need, not only with finding the right plan, but also financially. 'We are offering scholarships. Essentially helping people who are in need of physical fitness, nutrition, and are also struggling with mental health. We are trying to bridge that gap and give them the opportunity to find a fitness community that they can call their own.' Team of Mercy says the goal of the program is to unite people. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
