ORLANDO — The University of Central Florida community is reeling after the death of Tyler Paton, a promising Communications student with dreams of a career in sports media, who died by suicide. His parents, Scott and Janice Paton, are channeling their grief into action, announcing the creation of a national foundation aimed at preventing similar tragedies among young adults.
Tyler, remembered by friends as innovative, resourceful, and professionally driven, was majoring in Sports Journalism. He was actively building a robust skill set, proficient in tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop to pursue his passion for broadcasting.
A High-Achiever Hiding His Struggle
A graduate of Freedom High School, Tyler excelled with a 5.6 GPA, a 1340 SAT score, and versatility on the football field. His outward success, however, masked a private battle.
“Our beautiful son Tyler… had so much promise,” his parents shared in a heartfelt statement. “But something changed in the last few months of his life, and behind closed doors, he was struggling in ways we could not see. If young people can hide their mental health struggles from their parents and friends, they are unlikely to reach out for help.”
A Foundation Forged from Loss: The Tyler J. Paton Foundation
In response, the Patons have established The Tyler J. Paton Foundation, dedicated to youth suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Their mission is ambitious and nationwide in scope, focusing on several key initiatives:
Creating Accountability & Peer Networks: Collaborating with researchers and other families to build structured programs where friends and classmates can perform regular, caring “check-ins.”
Changing the Language: Advocating to destigmatize conversations around suicide by using more approachable phrases like “attempt to end a life,” making it easier for peers and families to discuss mental health openly.
Providing Instant Access to Resources: Working to ensure young adults across all 50 states have immediate, barrier-free access to crisis support and mental health tools.
A Legacy of Kindness and a Call to Action
“Tyler’s life, though tragically cut short, serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and community support,” said the Patons. “This is now our mission.”
The UCF community and beyond are encouraged to honor Tyler’s memory by supporting mental health initiatives, checking in on one another, and continuing the open dialogue his family is championing. His legacy as a compassionate and driven young man aims to inspire tangible change and prevent future loss.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.