HEALTHY MIND MATTERS

Salem teenager using a T-shirt and a message to connect people impacted by suicide

Sep 4, 2022, 11:30 PM | Updated: Feb 9, 2023, 5:18 pm

SALEM, Utah — A Salem teenager is connecting with other teens who’ve been impacted by anxiety, depression and suicide — with a t-shirt.

Jackson Eyre is a TikToker whose videos might give his 423,000 followers the impression that his life is nothing but dancing, goofing around and hanging out with pretty girls.

However, just a few years ago, when the college freshman was in junior high school, he was having a tough time.

“[Jackson would] say, ‘You know, everyone’s nice to me at school, but no one wants to hang out with me on the weekends and I just feel like I don’t have any friends,’” said Tancy Eyre, Jackson’s mom. “’I just feel like I’m so alone.’”

Meanwhile, his sister, Jane Eyre, was dealing with anxiety and depression.

”She just really withdrew from everybody. And she’d stay in her room a lot,” Tancy said.

Jane got help, and her mom says she is doing much better.

When Jackson was 14, though, his good friend and cousin, Kellan Eyre, died by suicide.

“I went outside and I laid on the grass and I looked in the stars and said ‘Kellan, I’m sorry. I wish I could have said something, I could have done something,’” Jackson recalled.

Jackson Eyre, 14, and his cousin, Kellan Eyre.

To perhaps make up for what he thought he might have said or done, Jackson began reaching out to people at school – giving compliments to students he didn’t know but who looked like they could use it.

“It felt like I had to,” he said.

“[Jackson is] really just kind of been on a mission to make others happy,” his mom said.

Jackson also used a Sharpie to write a message on a blank T-shirt: “The world’s a better place with you in it.” He eventually wore that shirt to school and then had it properly printed at a relative’s print shop. He said a portion of the proceeds will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

He wore it in his TikTok videos and followers, especially men, took notice.

“You think you gotta be this tough kid. If you’re on the football team, you can’t be soft, you can’t shed a tear. Guys think they have to be too strong to cry or show emotion,” Jackson said. “As simple as it (the message) sounds, it’s necessary that we hear that again.”

@jacksoneyre The Worlds a better place with you in it 🙂 in my bi0 #fyp #love #Totinos425 ♬ trend lá – que delícia ain🧚‍♀️

Pretty soon, Jackson was selling the shirt across the country and getting messages of support.

One person wrote, “I’ve struggled with depression and suicide multiple times, but I’ve never really opened up about it,”  “and I think your shirt will let me express myself.”

A father and son who’d lost a son and brother to suicide even asked if they could have the message image tattooed on their wrists, which they did.

“There’s so much more to life with you here, and never be afraid to be yourself,” Jackson said. “You know, it’s OK to try to fit in but it’s also OK to just be you. The world really is a better place with all of us in it. All of us, that’s what makes here, here.”


Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. All calls to legacy crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute as well.

Additional resources

  • SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can connect with a licensed crisis counselor through chat by downloading the SafeUT app or by calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388)
  • SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and healthcare professionals can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUT Frontline app.
  • SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUTNG app.
  • Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call 1-833 SPEAKUT 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  • The Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers a wide variety of programs and services including suicide prevention and crisis services, hospital treatment, therapy & medication management, substance Use & addiction recovery, child & teen programs, and maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
  • LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. They offer resources for faith based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.

Other community-based resources

KSL 5 TV Live

Healthy Mind Matters

Group is walking to Wendover for suicide preventin and awareness...

Ayanna Likens

100-mile walk to Wendover raises awareness for suicide prevention

Several Utahns are taking part in the annual 100-mile walk to Wendover from Tooele City to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

11 months ago

(KSL TV)...

Ayanna Likens

Why bipolar episodes tend to rise in the spring

The change of seasons can be really hard for people who struggle with their mental health. Winter months can lead to more depression, and the shift to spring can lead to more bipolar episodes.

12 months ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Jed Boal

Today is Teen Mental Wellness Day – here’s ways to help your teen

Teenagers who are struggling with their mental health are not always eager or ready to reach out for help. Thursday is Teen Mental Wellness Day, so we wanted to share some ideas with teens and parents who are seeking answers.

1 year ago

A recent NAMI study shows that African American and Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than w...

Ayanna Likens

Study: African American and Black adults are more likely to suffer from mental illness than white adults

A recent NAMI study shows that African American and Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress.

1 year ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Lauren Steinbrecher

St. George mom shares warning after FBI sees rise in sextortion scams targeting teen boys

A St. George mom is sharing a warning for other parents, as the FBI says it's seeing a huge rise in teens targeted in sextortion scams.

1 year ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Karah Brackin

Students across Utah come together to learn the importance of mental health care

Mental health, wellness and suicide prevention — they're all big topics of conversation, and more and more, those conversations include our kids. That's where Hope Squad is coming in to help.

1 year ago

Sponsored Articles

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Close up of an offset printing machine during production...

Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.

vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...

Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.

Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...

Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.

notebook with password notes highlighted...

PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.

Salem teenager using a T-shirt and a message to connect people impacted by suicide