If you are in suicidal crisis or emotional distress call 9-8-8 or text SAVE to 741741. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1.

About

Our Story

Peer Initiative utilizes an innovative approach which combines peer support with licensed counseling to identify teens at risk of death by suicide and connect them with life-saving mental health resources. Since 2015 Peer Initiative has spent over $100,000 on suicide prevention efforts at Sam Houston High School in Moss Bluff, Louisiana. The program has been recognized at the local, state, and national levels and is now being implemented at schools throughout Louisiana.

Meet Our CEO

Ken Brown is a teacher in Lake Charles, Louisiana. After losing multiple students to suicide in 2014, Ken co-founded the Peer Initiative – Leaders of Tomorrow program. This peer support program has been extremely successful at saving teen lives. In 2016 it was one of 80 programs nationwide out of 800 applicants to receive a $50,000 State Farm Youth Advisory Board Award. Ken’s work with suicide prevention evolved to his serving as Public Policy Chair and on the Board of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Board for Suicide Prevention. In 2020 Ken received national recognition as AFSP’s National Advocate of the Year.  In 2021 Ken was one of nine Louisianians to receive the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation’s Angel award.  Ken currently serves as President and CEO of the Peer Initiative non-profit, where he travels state-wide delivering suicide awareness training and works to spread the Peer Initiative suicide prevention program to high schools across the state. 

Ken Brown