Ridgefield resident Larry Bossidy is on a mission to prevent the #2 killer among college students

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 17-24-year-olds, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. A local business titan is using his business acumen to do something about it.

On Wednesday, Ridgefield resident Larry Bossidy, former CEO of Honeywell and his good friend Ken Langone, Co-Founder of Home Depot appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box with hosts Joe Kernen and Becky Quick.

They weren’t there to discuss the stock market or the economy, their mission was far more important.

Saving lives.

“If we save one life, it will be worth it,” said Bossidy

Bossidy and Langone serve on the Board of Directors of RADical Hope, a nonprofit committed to improving the lives and futures of young adults by strengthening connections and building resilience. The movement is two-fold: educate all constituents of the college community the warning signs and implore them to take action. And, help to identify students who need help but are not able to ask for it. They are on a mission and won’t stop until they reach a million people,

Make a tax deductible donation and help RADical Hope achieve their mission of improving the lives and futures of young people by strengthening connections and building resilience.

Bossidy and his family understand first-hand the imperative need to break down the barriers surrounding mental illness, strengthen connections, and empower those who need help to ask for it.

Founded by Pam and Phil Martin, Bossidy’s daughter and son-in-law, RADical Hope was started in honor of their son, Chris, who died by suicide in the fall of 2017 when he was a junior at Gonzaga University.

Our mission is to break the grip of emotional isolation that is killing our young people. We do this by expanding and delivering measurable, science-based programs that fill critical gaps and equip America’s youth with the skills they need to thrive.

-Pam Martin, RADical Hope Co-Founder

“This is something dear to my heart,” Bossidy says. “We want them [the students] to have the confidence to express what’s on their mind and ask for help when needed.”

RADical Hope is currently partnering with ten colleges and universities including NYU, Fairfield and Wesleyan to develop, identify and partner with frontline engagement programs that deliver three priorities: Connectivity, Engagement, Empowerment.

And, reaching college-age kids is vital. “64% of kids who drop out of college do so because of mental illness,” says Langone, who adds, “Our purpose is to identify the kids who aren’t reaching out for help and assure them there is a better future.”

Bossidy says, “We want to touch one million people.”

How can you help?

Learn about RADical Hope HERE and spread the word. If you have an affiliation at a college or university, talk about RADical Hope, its profound impact and importance.

Make a tax deductible donation and help RADical Hope achieve their mission of improving the lives and futures of young people by strengthening connections and building resilience.

Watch Bossidy and Langone talk about RADical Hope on Squawk Box here.