Eric Windeler, Founder and longtime Executive Director of Jack.org, passed away peacefully on May 23rd, 2026, surrounded by family. Eric was a national leader in youth mental health advocacy and a driving force behind a generational shift in how people understand and speak about mental health. 

After the loss of their son Jack to suicide in 2010, Eric and his wife Sandra refused to let silence define their grief. Instead, they channeled their heartbreak into creating hope for others. By sharing their story of suicide loss, Eric and Sandra helped people feel less alone in their struggles and showed how to speak openly about mental health without shame. Their example inspired countless others to use their voice, support one another, and build a better future for young people.

As Executive Director, Eric grew Jack.org from a small community of dedicated advocates into a national movement for change, reaching hundreds of thousands of young people with the education and resources needed to make it through difficult times. Under his leadership, the organization launched programs that empowered young people to share their stories, support one another, be comfortable seeking professional support, and use their voices to advocate for better.

In every avenue of his life, Eric worked to reduce stigma and create spaces where young people could speak openly. He championed youth voice and lived experience, embedding youth leadership at the core of Jack.org’s approach. He believed deeply that young people are not only recipients of support, but active drivers of change, with the insight and capacity to shape solutions for themselves and their peers.

His approach to partnering with young people helped transform the mental health landscape, with youth co-leadership now recognized as best practice in mental health programming. This belief shaped every aspect of Jack.org and continues to guide its mission today.

Eric will be remembered not just for what he built, but for the way he did it. He led with openness, vulnerability, and a deep care for others. His example inspired countless individuals – young people, parents, educators, and future advocates – to speak openly about mental health, to check in and listen deeply, and to act with compassion towards those struggling. His leadership helped shift a culture of silence into one of conversation and connection.

His legacy lives on through his family, whose dedication to youth mental health continues to inspire, and in the community he built: in the young leaders who share their voices, in the programs that equip people to recognize struggle and support one another, and in every conversation about mental health that was made possible because Eric spoke first.

Eric will be deeply missed and always remembered. Should you wish to share any personal remembrances of Eric, please direct them to rememberingeric@jack.org.