The I’m Glad You Stayed Project (IGYSP) was founded on April 16, 2021, by Abbey Schley at just 17 years old, following the loss of her friend, Dylan, to suicide.
When Dylan reached out in crisis, Abbey wanted to help but quickly realized she did not have important information that emergency responders needed. Although first responders were able to locate Dylan and transport him to the hospital, he passed away several days later. Through organ donation, he gave the gift of life to others.
In the weeks that followed, Abbey found herself asking an important question: How can we better equip young people to help a friend in crisis?
That question became the foundation of The I’m Glad You Stayed Project. What began as a personal mission to prevent other families and friends from experiencing the same heartbreak has grown into a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention, mental health awareness, education, and hope.
Today, IGYSP encourages people to take every mention of suicide seriously, know how to access help in a crisis, and keep important emergency contact information for the people they care about. These simple steps can save precious time—and potentially save a life.
Dylan’s love for the water continues to inspire our work. A swimmer, scuba diver, and friend to many, his memory lives on through the lives we impact and the conversations we help start every day.