The Half a Sorrow Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2020 by Dennis Gillan.

Our mission is to improve mental health for individuals and organizations by promoting real conversations.

Our Name

The name “Half a Sorrow” comes from the Swedish proverb “A shared joy is a double joy; a shared sorrow is Half a Sorrow.” This captures our belief that by coming together in community, we can ease individual suffering.

Our Founder’s Story 

After losing two brothers to suicide, Dennis Gillan turned his profound grief into purpose.

He began volunteering at a crisis hotline, eventually sharing his story to raise awareness. Moved by the impact his story had, Dennis decided to leave his previous career to become a full-time speaker and mental health advocate.

He started the Half a Sorrow Foundation to empower his outreach through subsidizing speaking fees, facilitating workshops, and providing critical resources. Dennis now speaks extensively nationwide, spreading messages of hope, resilience, and help-seeking to save lives.

Our Approach

We take a multifaceted, compassionate approach to suicide prevention and mental health education:

Speaking Engagements

Dennis’ candid storytelling reduces stigma, fosters connection, and inspires audiences.

Training Programs

From QPR certification to comprehensive workshops, our programs equip individuals and organizations to make a difference.

Advocacy

We fight for public policy changes at the local, state, and national level to support mental health.

Resources

Our online toolkits, articles, infographics, and videos provide information to understand and prevent suicide.

Community Outreach

We participate in awareness events, support groups for survivors, and prevention partnerships.

Share your sorrow.

A shared joy is a double joy; a shared sorrow is half a sorrow. Share your sorrow to start your journey toward healing from the trauma that has impacted your life.

Share Your Story Today

Let's make positive change together.

By working together, we can create a society where fewer people have to suffer alone and more people feel safe reaching out for help.

Contact us today to learn more about our life-saving mission, or donate today to support the mission of Half a Sorrow.

Support Our Work