Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Board Member Spotlight: Dave Rife

We are honored to spotlight Dave Rife, president of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) Board and Chief Manufacturing Officer at White Castle. Dave’s deep commitment to suicide prevention stems from being a suicide loss survivor. Motivated by the desire to make a difference and prevent others from experiencing a similar loss, Dave has worked tirelessly to support OSPF’s mission. His leadership has been key in strengthening the foundation’s impact within Ohio communities.

Q1: What motivated you to join the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Board?

A1: In 2019, we lost our oldest son Matthew to suicide. As we worked our way through all the emotions associated with our loss, one thing became clear: we needed to do something to understand mental illness better and try to do what we could to prevent others from going through what we were. We spent time with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, learning more about On Our Sleeves. That program is fantastic but focuses primarily on kids, and Matt was 33 when we lost him. We then started learning about the Department of Psychiatry at Ohio State University and the initiatives they are working on, which are numerous. Still, since we are not psychiatrists, our ability would be limited to philanthropic opportunities. Then, I met Tony Coder, who introduced me to OSPF. It seemed like a good fit, allowing me to try to make something good out of our tragedy. As a board member, I can support the foundation, both philanthropically and by getting involved, and provide guidance and input into the organization’s long-term strategies.

Q2: What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time on the board?

A2: When I first joined the board, the organization was coming out of some challenging financial times, and the awareness of it was not what it is today. With the input of all the board members and Tony’s guidance, OSPF is financially strong and known not only throughout the state but around the country for our impact.

Q3: In your view, how does OSPF make a meaningful difference in Ohio’s communities?

A3: I believe there are two things.

1. The programs. Ohio has such a diverse population, and the staff does a fantastic job of tailoring programs to the audience; it is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

2. The team. They truly are passionate about what they do, and it comes through loud and clear, resonating with their audiences.

Q4: What do you find most rewarding about collaborating with your fellow board members?

A4: The diversity of backgrounds. Everyone comes from a different place in life, and the diversity of perspectives helps in the ideation process as we continue to find ways to further OSPF’s mission.

Q5: What advice would you give someone interested in supporting suicide prevention efforts in Ohio?

A5: Don’t wait! The goal is to put OSPF out of business. To do that, we need everyone to come together and break the stigma around mental illness. Our son never wanted to be labeled and didn’t want people to look at him differently. He suffered in silence and ultimately lost his battle with depression. Mental illness is no different than any other disease. We need to understand that, embrace it like we have with cancer, and fight back, allowing people to feel comfortable talking about mental illness without fear of being labeled.