Parents turn late son’s good deeds into a way to support others facing mental health challenges

RAMSEUR — Two years ago, Tyler Franklin would have been 17 years old. Instead, he died in a tragic car accident.

Now, his parents — Kevin and Julie Franklin — have established the Love Like Tyler Foundation, not only to keep their son’s memory alive but to support children and families facing mental health challenges.

To kick off Love Like Tyler, the Franklins held an event with friends and supporters at Millstone Creek Orchard’s Cider House east of Ramseur. Kevin gave an emotional talk about his son and what the foundation hopes to achieve in Tyler’s name.

“Tyler joined us by adoption at 14 days old,” Kevin Franklin said. “He was a great kid full of energy, life and laughter. He had a mischievous gleam in his eye. He was creative, artistic and a thinker.”

Kevin talked about Tyler’s love of animals, the outdoors, fishing and his dirt bike. He spent many hours at Millstone Creek enjoying nature.

But, Kevin said, Tyler also struggled with doubts, anxiety and depression. “But our family was able to help.”

It was only after Tyler’s death that Kevin and Julie realized just how much their son helped others. On the website, www.loveliketylerfoundation.org, they reveal: 

“His morning routine was always the same. On the way to school, he’d swing through the Bojangles drive-thru with his mom ordering two sausage biscuits and two Cheerwines. After he passed, one friend reached out to share what those mornings had really meant. Food wasn’t always guaranteed for (the friend) at home, so Tyler quietly made sure he had breakfast. Never making it a big deal, just making sure his friend didn’t start the day hungry.

“Another friend remembered how Tyler used to walk him to and from class. Not because he had to, but because he knew that with Tyler beside him, no one would give him a hard time. That was Tyler’s way. People who knew him say no one got picked on when he was around.”

During his talk at Millstone Creek, Kevin said he and Julie once went into Tyler’s bedroom when he was asleep and found his cell phone open to Facetime. Again, the website explains:

“A friend shared that she was afraid and slept with her door locked at night while staying on the phone with Tyler, knowing that if she ever needed help, he’d be there.”

Kevin told the group at Millstone Creek, “Tyler faced challenges but was still concerned with others. He wanted his friends to feel like they mattered and he put them first.”

That led Kevin to talk about the foundation established in Tyler’s name.

“There are many who need mental health support and help. We’ve talked to mental health providers, schools, public health (and found that) many are battling depression and thoughts of suicide. They need help. But there’s a stigma associated with mental health services and people aren’t getting what they need.”

The Love Like Tyler Foundation, Kevin said, has a threefold mission:

— Helping with the costs of counseling.

— Generating awareness of the scope of mental health challenges in the community.

— Reducing the stigma of mental health services.

The foundation has been formed to help those who can’t afford the cost of mental health providers. Kevin said the goal is to provide the first six sessions at no charge to the client and family. That’s at fair market value. If a family can pay a portion of the cost, the foundation will cover the gap.

The Love Like Tyler Foundation is partnering with Asheboro Counseling and Wellness to provide mental health services. Other providers may be added in the future, Kevin said.

“We hope, in a few years, to have an endowment generating interest,” he said, with the interest used to pay for services. “But we can’t do it without financial support. We may do a fundraiser every year.”

Mental health problems appear to be growing, Kevin said, noting that in 2024 one in five young people experienced challenges. And in Randolph County there is just one provider for every 900 people.

“We’re struggling to meet the demand,” he said. “Early prevention is critical. We want to remove the barriers to treatment.”

Again, the website:

“The Franklin family’s faith has been a guiding light through this journey, rooted in Galatians 6:2: ‘Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.’ It’s a verse that shaped how they raised Tyler, and how they hope this foundation carries his example forward.

“The Love Like Tyler Foundation is built to welcome and support every family in need, regardless of belief or background.”

Kevin told those at Millstone Creek, “We love our community and want to support its needs. Some young people just need to know someone cares.”

Finally, the website:

“Tyler’s family couldn’t change what happened, but they could carry his example forward. In his lifetime, Tyler benefitted from mental health services and was fortunate that finances were not a barrier to care. 

“The Love Like Tyler Foundation was born from his legacy — a way of making sure that the kind of care Tyler gave so freely to those around him is available to young people in Randolph County regardless of their financial circumstances.”

For more information about the foundation, to apply for help or to donate, visit www.loveliketylerfoundation.org.