Dave Nee Foundation (DAVID DAWES NEE II FOUNDATION)

Mission The Dave Nee Foundation’s mission is to eliminate the stigma associated with depression and suicide by promoting and encouraging not only the diagnosis and treatment of depression among young adults, but also the education of young people, their families, and friends about the disease of depression.

We believe that a principal reason for the high suicide rate in the United States is a glaring lack of sufficiently candid discussion about, and early treatment of, depression. We hope to spread the message that depression and thoughts of harming oneself are common and that treatment for depressed and suicidal thoughts must become socially acceptable.

Feedback from Law Students after attending an Uncommon Counsel Presentation 

A 1L in Minnesota reminds us that too many people suffer in silence, “This topic is important to talk about. So many people suffer from depression and anxiety silently.  This topic needs to be talked about openly and the Dave Nee Foundation does this!”

While in New York City, a student’s comment confirms that law schools offering our program to raise awareness and NOT stay silent can truly make a difference.  “I didn’t realize until this presentation that my recent long hours in bed (I am normally up and out when my alarm rings), my apathy for yoga, my avoidance of doing school work at home in my space and my teeth grinding [are reasons] that I should probably speak to someone, and talk it out, so thank you.”

 

Company Overview The Dave Nee Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, established in 2006 in New York State. Today, we work nationally on scholarship, education, and network building with law schools, firms and bar associations to fulfill our mission.

 

Description The Dave Nee Foundation seeks to eliminate the stigma of mental illness by fostering candid discussions about mental health in higher education and the workplace. We will achieve our mission through our engagement in scholarship, education and network building, and by envisioning a world where one’s mental health status does not determine a person’s ability to work at the highest levels in his or her chosen pursuit. 

We believe that a principal reason for the high suicide rate in the United States is a glaring lack of sufficient candid discussion and early treatment for depression. Further, suffering adolescents are not aware of the available options for treatment and recovery. We hope to spread the message that depression and thoughts of harming oneself do not make one “abnormal,” that treatment for depressed and suicidal thoughts is socially acceptable, and that in an overwhelming number of cases, such treatment is a safe, effective way to improve one’s quality of life.
 

 

General Information The friends and family of Dave Nee formed the Dave Nee Foundation in 2006 after Dave’s struggle with depression ended with his suicide in June 2005. 

Dave’s intelligence and intellectual curiosity were extraordinary, and those traits were complemented by his humor, selflessness, and generosity. We hope to emulate these aspects of Dave’s personality in our efforts to combat the disease of depression and prevent further unnecessary loss of life through suicide.