Donna and Phil Satow are no strangers to mobilizing into action. As members of the Leadership Council for Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Satows are passionate advocates for quality mental healthcare because they know firsthand, “no family goes untouched by mental illness,” as the Council motto states.
In 1998, the Satows tragically lost their son, Jed, to suicide while he was away at college. Overwhelmed with grief yet driven by a desire to prevent other families from enduring such loss, the couple co-founded The Jed Foundation in 2000 with a mission to reduce suicide rates and enhance mental health support for young people on college campuses across the country.
Since then, their efforts have evolved into a transformative initiative, impacting millions through a collaborative and comprehensive strategy that empowers schools and universities to tackle these critical challenges proactively. Their recent gift to Mass General’s Psychiatry Department exemplifies how the Satows’ unwavering commitment to mental health transcends the boundaries of college campuses and clinical settings. By creating opportunities for families to share meaningful experiences, they are fostering connection, strengthening bonds and offering moments of healing, joy and respite.
Strengthening Family Bonds Through a Unique Gift
Despite the heartache of losing Jed and navigating life after such a profound tragedy, the Satows have remained deeply connected to one another, embracing the healing power of family. Through their journey, they have also gained insight into the struggles families face when dealing with medical conditions or mental health challenges — how hard it can be to carve out quality time amidst the demands of treatments and appointments.
The Satows are also big soccer fans. When their grandson was hired as a sales representative for the New England Revolution, the Satows found a meaningful way to combine their love for the sport with their passion for mental health to benefit both their grandson’s career and families navigating mental health challenges.
“Our grandson was working hard to promote the team and encourage attendance at games,” Phil says. “We’ve always loved soccer, and we thought attending a game could be a wonderful way for families and patients to step away from the stresses of hospital visits and doctors’ appointments for a day and simply have fun together.”
“Our work focuses on helping students navigate the emotional complexities of high school and college, equipping them to transition into adulthood and flourish. It’s deeply gratifying to see the difference the Jed Foundation is making. We’re not just changing lives; we’re saving them.”
With the enthusiastic support of Maurizio Fava, MD, chair of psychiatry for academic medical centers at Mass General Brigham, the Satows, along with friends and relatives, decided to make a gift to psychiatry. The funds were specifically designated to purchase tickets to New England Revolution games, allowing patients, their families and faculty to attend free of charge.
“Everyone thought it was a great idea and a win-win for everyone involved,” Phil says. “It supported the department, gave our grandson a boost in his role, but most importantly, it provided patients and families facing mental health challenges with a unique opportunity to enjoy a special day together away from the hospital.”
Transforming Mental Health on Campus
At its inception, The Jed Foundation faced a daunting challenge. In the late 1990s, mental health programs for college students were sparse and primarily reactive, focused on treating issues only after they emerged. Counseling centers, while helpful at treating the symptoms, often lacked a community-focused, preventive approach. Donna and Phil envisioned something radically different: a comprehensive public health model that addressed mental health holistically, integrating prevention, early intervention and support for those in need.
With guidance from leading experts in public health, education and psychiatry, the Satows developed an innovative model tailored specifically for students on college campuses. Furthermore, The Jed Foundation’s impact is backed by compelling data showing that colleges implementing the Foundation’s programs and services report statistically lower suicide attempt rates and higher graduation rates compared to those that do not.
Phil acknowledges that when The Jed Foundation first introduced its comprehensive program, it was ahead of its time. Mental health was not as openly discussed or widely understood as it is today. Over the years, societal acceptance of mental health issues has grown, and so has the recognition of holistic approaches like The Jed Foundation’s. Their model is now standard practice on many college campuses and is being expanded to high schools across the country, ensuring students are supported earlier in their educational journeys.
Whether it is giving families a chance to enjoy quality time together through something as simple as attending a soccer game or transforming the way mental health is addressed on college campuses, the Satows’ efforts consistently emphasize the importance of proactive, comprehensive care, community support and holistic well-being.
“Our work focuses on helping students navigate the emotional complexities of high school and college, equipping them to transition into adulthood and flourish,” says Phil. “It’s deeply gratifying to see the difference The Jed Foundation is making. We’re not just changing lives; we’re saving them.”
To learn more about how to support the groundbreaking work at Mass General Psychiatry, please contact us.
