Mission
The purpose of the Jack Dow Family Foundation is to support families suffering from a mental health crisis or grief, to support the next generation of mental health professionals and to fund the advancement of research and treatment of psychotic disorders. By funding education, research, and treatment initiatives, we help cultivate a skilled workforce dedicated to advancing mental health care. This ensures that groundbreaking research continues, leading to improved understanding, treatments, and support for individuals experiencing psychosis and families suffering from loss. Ultimately, the Jack Dow Family Foundation serves as a lasting tribute to the importance of mental health care, while directly contributing to the development of more effective therapies and compassionate care for future generations.
Awareness
Raising Awareness
The Jack Dow Family Foundation is committed to enhancing mental health awareness and providing resources that empower families. We know that the only way to end the stigma is to talk about the impact that mental health disorders have in our lives, and we want to build a world where families and young adults are comfortable sharing their battles with mental health disorders.
Support
Offering Support
We offer resources, education, and a supportive community for families navigating mental health challenges. Our commitment is to ensure no family feels alone in their journey. We do this by making grants to non-profit organizations that provide mental health services to our communities. To suggest a grant recipient, please click the link "Contact Us".
Who was Jack
Who was Jack?
Jack Austin Dow, born July 27, 2000, to Eric and Angie Dow of Ponder, Texas was an all-American boy. He loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with his friends. Above all, Jack loved baseball, and he was pretty darn good at it too. As a kid, Jack spent every waking moment playing baseball with his teammates, playing catch with his brother, or hunting with his dad or Pop. The Jack Dow Family Foundation exists to celebrate who Jack Dow was to each of us - a loving son, a faithful brother, a thoughtful uncle, the truest friend you've ever known, the only pitcher you'd want on the mound in the seventh inning of a win or go home game, and a brave and tireless hunter. We love him so, and we're here to tell his story.
Our Letter to You
In the summer of 2022, Jack suffered from a sudden onset of a psychotic disorder. The Jack that we all knew and loved was suddenly in a severe crisis, and it was a crisis that he wrestled with until his passing on March 18, 2025. The Dow Family created the Jack Dow Family Foundation so that other families will have the resources to navigate a crisis like Jack's. This is their letter to you:
Before we share our story, we would like to introduce you to a blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy who loved baseball and nature. Jack had an easy-going personality and was always filled with joy. With those blue eyes, he seemed like he could help anyone or talk his way out of any situation with a smile. That will be the most significant thing we will miss for the days until we see him again. Jack was a friend to everyone. He always was the center of attention and the light in the room. He had such a kind heart and would do anything for anyone, even if it meant going out of his way to put a smile on someone’s face. Jack wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of those around him. He would invite others to the youth group so that they could learn about the love of Jesus, and he was generous with his time to spend with others and help where it was needed.
In May of 2022, Jack suffered his first psychotic episode. An overprescription of Adderall may have been the contributing factor in the start of his first episode, but over the ensuing three years, Jack lost the light in his eyes, and his smile became forced as he wrestled with the day-to-day battle of living with a mental health disorder. Our Jack still loved and cherished his family. However, he lost interest in his lifetime hobbies and friendships. Over the last three years, we worked tirelessly on connecting with Jack and showing him how much we love him. Jack focused on his physical strength and nutrition to be his best self. He completed his bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration despite wrestling with his condition daily. Jack lived courageously with purpose, intent, and generosity until his final days. Since March 18, 2025, our family’s mission has been to create a purpose for our pain caused by losing Jack. In the last three months, we’ve learned some sobering facts we have learned about mental health that we’d like to share with you all:
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The average age of onset of a psychotic break for a male is between the ages of 21 and 25 years. (This fact reveals to us why Jack did not display any signs of mental illness until he was 21 years old.)
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One in five children aged 3-17 has some form of mental illness.
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20% of teens aged 12-17 had a major depressive episode in the past year.
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In the past year, 42% of high school students reported sadness or hopelessness. This percentage is 57% in females.
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22% of high school students reported having seriously considered suicide in the past year. This percentage is highest among females (30%). Do the math; this is 1 in 4 for all high school students and 1 in 3 for females.
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10% of high school students attempted suicide in the past year. This percentage is highest among females (13%).
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Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 in the United States.
We hope that these statistics get your attention because they got our attention. No matter how many resources, money, or prayers we have for our children, sometimes it is not enough. We want to stress that prayer is critical, but Jack would still be here today if that is all you need.
We live in a different world today after the COVID-19 pandemic. The expectations we put on our children are out of control. The story is always the same: put your head down, work hard, and do not complain. There is no room for emotion, failure, or simple humanity. In a progressive society that purports to care about mental health, we have never seen mental illness more prevalent than in the world we all live in today. We continue to disconnect from relationships, watch church online, and become immune to the social pressures that our children and young adults continue to get exposed to. This is a wake-up call for everyone reading this, and all young adults and children need your help in a more profound and meaningful way. We challenge everyone to look in the mirror and ask themselves, “Are my priorities in line?” If mental health is not in the top three, you have some things you need to change. Sports should not even be on your list. We were the parents who encouraged our children to be involved in sports. We wanted our children to learn the many lessons of being on a team and the work ethic to strive to succeed. It seems like the pressures placed on our youth to be the best player on the team are out of control. These pressures can result in a high level of anxiety, which can take a toll on one’s mental health.
If you think this cannot happen to you, please get in touch with us to discuss. Unfortunately, life is not easy. Incorporating a strong support system within your family and community is imperative. Ensure your priorities are in check, and be engaged in your children's and young adults’ lives. Be intentional when reaching out and connecting with the youth, especially young adults. From our experience, a young adult trying to navigate through the demands and expectations of our society is challenging. This is a different world that we live in, and they need our help to survive and navigate through this unsettling world. We no longer take the time we spend with our family and friends for granted. We are thankful we were given the last three years with Jack living in our house or nearby. We have no regrets about the time or effort in trying to help our son while he struggled with his mental condition. Take the extra time to tell those you love that you love them and find ways to spend quality time with them because you will never know when that privilege will be taken away.
We want the youth and children of today to know that the world we live in today is complex and unfair. You must understand that you are in uncharted waters due to daily pressures. You need to realize that you are not alone and can’t do it without help from someone. If you are having trouble or a tough time, we beg you to contact your family or loved ones for help. There is no shame in asking for guidance on any situation, not letting the societal pressures build up, and not talking about them with someone you know and trust. 1 Peter 5:7-9 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers worldwide suffers the same suffering.” Our loving God does not want you to carry your worries alone. Instead, lean on Him, your family, and your community for support and guidance.
The purpose of this message is not to discourage but rather to encourage. We all have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the young adults and children we know. As a family, we have decided not to hide from this tragedy but shine a light and make something good come of it. We are being open and transparent, hoping to save one person, family, or church from having to go through this life-changing event. We created the JACK DOW FAMILY FOUNDATION, a charitable fund supported by The Dallas Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation for this purpose. This foundation aims to raise awareness about mental health, offer support to families, schools, and communities navigating mental health challenges, and provide scholarships to the next generation that wants to pursue a career in mental health. We are asking for more than just donations to the Jack Dow Family Foundation, we want you to become involved in our mission by sharing ideas on ways to help with mental health, joining our team to build a loving community that reflects the love of Jesus and serves those who are suffering from mental illness. With your support, we can make a positive out of a horrific situation. If we can help just one family or community avoid this tragedy in the future, we will have done better than most - and that is good enough. But do not do it for us; do it for Jack.
As we close, we want to remind you to tell the young adults and children in your lives that you love them. Let them know that they are valued and cherished. Give your time and be present to those around you. Our family commits to doing the same.
Thank you for taking the time to read our tribute to Jack. We hope we have impacted your thoughts and encouraged you to truly see those around you as individuals who may need support, grace, and care.
Sincerely,
The Dow Family