When Paul and Ann Irr Dagle lost their 19-year-old son, Brian, to suicide in November 2011, their hearts were shattered. Brian was a lacrosse player at East Lyme High School and had been silently battling depression and anxiety. After his death, his parents made the decision to transform their pain into purpose, so they founded Lax2Live. Lax2Live is a program that uses lacrosse as a powerful platform to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.
Thirteen years later, what started out as a local program has evolved into a regional movement. The program began in 2016 at East Lyme High School and now includes 35 high school teams and six college teams across Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. In just this year alone, over 1,100 student athletes and coaches have participated in Lax2Live events, where the game serves as a point for life-changing conversations.
Both boys and girls lacrosse at Morgan participate in the Lax2Live events. Even after tough losses, Lax2Live is able to bring together both teams to cover something much more impactful. Sophomore girls lacrosse player, Libby Burns says, “I think that the program is very important and is able to highlight that athletes are real people with real struggles”
“Our mission is simple,” said Paul Dagle, co-founder and Vice President of the foundation. “If we can help one person, if we can save one life, it’ll all be worth it.”
It is worth it because lives are being touched. Multiple students who have participated in Lax2Live have shared how the program has helped them open up, seek support, and better understand their mental health. Paul says, “Just this year, I’ve had at least 5 students come up to me to tell me they have reached out for help.” “When someone comes up to me and says, “Your program helped me get the help I need,” is all the reward we need,” said Dagle. The event provides reminders that no one needs to suffer in silence.
Though the Dagle’s once tried to replicate the program with football, they found lacrosse held a more emotional significance. Paul noted, “It wasn’t as impactful,” reaffirming that lacrosse was the heart of their message.
Lax2Live is only one piece of a much bigger effort. Beyond the field, the Dagle’s also run Brian’s Healing Hearts Center for Hope and Healing in Niantic, Connecticut. The center offers grief support services for people navigating through all types of loss. In addition, the foundation also provides QPR, Question, Persuade, and Refer training. This is a mental health first aid program that is designed to help people identify and assist those in crisis. The training has not only reached schools but also professional organizations including the National Guard and the FBI.
Chris Mountain, a certified school psychologist at East Lyme High School and board member of the foundation, has personally led QPR training sessions for military and law enforcement personnel. His involvement with East Lyme’s athletic programs makes him a natural fit for connecting with student athletes on mental awareness.
Mountain is able to see multiple perspectives of mental health in student athletes as a school psychologist. He has seen multiple students reach out for help after speaking to the teams. “We just want to let young people know that there is other options when you are struggling,” said Mountain
One of Lax2Live’s most advanced components is its student ambassador program, which empowers young leaders to research mental health topics and organize resources in their schools. Whether it’s leading dedications, planning events, or simply just spreading awareness. These students will have a big impact surrounding mental health.
The foundation also brings the community together in many meaningful ways. Their annual fundraiser, the Niantic Jingle Bell 5K is held every December and draws in over 1,500 participants. The event includes many family friendly activities including a costume contest, but its main mission is centered on remembrance, awareness, and connection.
The Dagle’s work has not gone unnoticed. Lax2Live has received awards from the Referee association and the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance and continues to grow each year and the mission still remains.
Behind every event, training, and life touched is the memory of Brian Dagle and the enduring love of his parents. “It takes a lot of hard work to be able to get yourself help and open up about your feelings. But, without it, we lose people.”
Thanks to Lax2Live, more young people are finding the courage to speak, seek help, and support one another. One game, one conversation, and one life at a time.
