BreakDown STL

Since 2006, BreakDown STL has served more than 190,500 students and adults through programs focused on mental health awareness, character development, and community engagement. To advance its mission, BreakDown STL maintains structured partnerships with schools and community organizations, allowing it to deliver programming directly to youth and families in accessible, trusted settings. In 2025, BreakDown STL trained 33 students through an intensive servant leadership program. Participants are selected through a competitive audition process to join the BreakDown STL Leadership Team, comprised of high school and college-age students. Once selected, team members engage in weekly training that emphasizes character development, leadership skills, mental health education, and other essential life skills, preparing them to serve as positive role models within their communities. Leadership Team members apply their training through active participation in one of two community engagement initiatives: OnStage or OutReach. The OnStage program is a peer-to-peer model in which team members deliver multimedia presentations addressing mental health, addiction, and abuse in schools and community venues, fostering awareness and encouraging help-seeking behaviors. The OutReach program is a service-based initiative through which team members meet tangible needs, build meaningful relationships, and collaborate with local organizations. Through these efforts, participants provide compassionate support to individuals facing hardship and extend care grounded in the organizations faith-based values.