Madison Reporter

University of Wisconsin–Madison freshman Brooke Brennan is using her personal experiences with loss to help others. A few weeks ago, she returned to her hometown for an event honoring those lost to suicide. The girls’ hockey team at Hayward High School, where Brennan was once a player, observed a moment of silence and added names to a banner in memory of loved ones who died by suicide.

Brennan's mother died by suicide when she was eight years old. This experience has fueled her efforts to prevent suicide and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. "I think my story is about finding your light in your darkness," Brennan said. Her advocacy began in high school and continues at UW–Madison, where she is studying pre-nursing.

Financial challenges arose after her mother's death, but Brennan received support from Bucky’s Pell Pathway, which covers college costs for low-income students at UW–Madison. "My life was very hard and very stressful growing up," Brennan shared. The financial aid package allowed her to attend college without worrying about expenses.

After moving from the Northwest to Wisconsin following her mother's death, Brennan initially told people that her mother had died in a car accident due to societal stigma around suicide. As she grew older, she became more open about the truth. During high school, after a local youth's suicide, she co-led initiatives like selling bracelets with proceeds going to a national hotline and creating T-shirts with the message “Your Life Matters.”

Emily Stark, a teacher and coach at Hayward High School, praised Brennan's impact: "Brooke did all this because she thought it would be a good idea to stop the stigma around mental illness."

In addition to academics and sports involvement at UW–Madison, Brennan volunteers as a math tutor at GiGi’s Playhouse Madison in honor of her mother’s work with special-education students.

"This university is providing me with so much support," Brennan noted. She emphasizes giving back as part of her journey.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact University Health Services' 24-hour Crisis Line at 608-265-5600 (Option 9) or visit their website for resources on prevention and mental health promotion.