Meet Kelli Melissa Reinhardt

I lost my middle sister, Carrie, to suicide on February 20, 2017. As the youngest of five girls, Carrie was the sister I grew up with the most. She was the person I called for everything. Losing her was devastating.

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In the midst of my grief, I knew one thing for certain: I wanted to make a difference. Even if it was only one person at a time, I wanted to help prevent another family from experiencing the pain that ours had endured. At the time, I wasn't sure how to do that, but my focus was firmly on suicide prevention because that was how my sister died.

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Although I had never been suicidal myself, I struggled with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) as a teenager. At the time, I didn't fully understand why. Looking back, I recognize it as a learned behavior and an unhealthy coping mechanism. It was a way to release emotions and feel something when I didn't know how to process what I was experiencing.

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As I searched for answers after losing Carrie, I was introduced to Mental Health First Aid. What began as a single class quickly became a journey of learning. I gained certifications, tools, and a deeper understanding of mental health, the brain, and the factors that can lead someone to consider suicide.

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One of the most important lessons I learned was that suicide is often the result of an untreated or unaddressed mental health challenge. That realization shifted my perspective. If we can address the root causes, provide support earlier, and help people access resources before they reach a crisis point, we can save lives.

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I never wanted another family to experience the heartbreak my family faced.

The education, understanding, and hope I gained through this journey were so impactful that I knew I had to bring those resources back to my community. What started as a focus on suicide prevention evolved into a broader mission centered on mental health education, support, and breaking down the stigma that keeps so many people suffering in silence.

The idea for the nonprofit was born in 2017 and became official in 2018 as the registered

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization BCC Evolution.

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"BCC" stood for "Because Carrie Cared," a tribute to the sister whose life continues to inspire this work every day. The name was also inspired by the concept of a blind carbon copy email, where names are hidden from view. To me, that reflected the reality of mental health challenges. They are often present, but unseen. Our goal was to help bring what was hidden into the light so people could feel seen, supported, and less alone. "Evolution" represented growth, change, and the belief that we are always capable of becoming more than we were yesterday.

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As the organization grew, we discovered that while BCC Evolution held deep personal meaning, it did not clearly communicate our mission to the community. We often found ourselves explaining the name rather than sharing the impact of our work. Eventually, we made the decision to embrace the phrase that had become our rallying cry: Make Mental Health Matter.

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That change represented more than a new name. It represented a commitment to action.

We aren't simply saying that mental health matters. We are actively working to MAKE mental health matter through education, training, support, connection, and community engagement. We believe that everyday people can learn the skills to recognize struggles, start conversations, offer support, and help save lives.

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What started as a mission to prevent suicide has evolved into something much bigger than I ever imagined. Through education, lived experience, and countless conversations, I came to understand that mental health, substance use, suicide prevention, and overall wellness are deeply connected. If we want to save lives, we must create opportunities for support long before a crisis occurs and continue providing connection and care long after.

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Today, Make Mental Health Matter is more than an awareness organization. We are a growing community resource focused on prevention, intervention, and postvention support through education, training, coaching, holistic wellness services, youth programs, community events, and meaningful conversations. From Mental Health First Aid and suicide intervention training to low-cost coaching, support groups, and the Make Mental Health Matter Show, our goal is to create accessible pathways to hope, healing, and human connection.

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As the needs of our communities continue to change, so will we. One of the values I am most proud of is our willingness to listen, learn, collaborate, and fill gaps where support is needed most. Our way is not the only way, and we believe lasting change happens when organizations, communities, and individuals come together with a shared commitment to helping people thrive.

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My vision is simple: a world where no one feels alone in their struggles, where help is accessible, conversations are welcomed, and people receive support before reaching a crisis point. The future of Make Mental Health Matter is rooted in connection, fueled by hope, and driven by the belief that every life matters.

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Together, we are not just talking about mental health. We are taking action to Make Mental Health Matter.

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A quick side note: If you're looking through older interviews, articles, or media appearances, you may find me listed as Kelli Hansen. That's me too. After getting married in 2022, I became Kelli Melissa Reinhardt. And for the record, despite adding my middle name Melissa...

I still go by Kelli.

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