By Andrea Smith
At Sean’s House in Newark, a light is always on. During the day, people come and go through the bright blue front door and find free food, hot coffee, cozy couches, and a compassionate community inside. At night, it’s quieter, but still welcoming to anyone in need of a listening ear.
The house at 136 W. Main St. had an open-door policy and a lights-always-on reputation long before it became a public wellness hub. About 10 years ago, it was the typical college guys’ house, just steps away from the University of Delaware campus, where students tossed backpacks onto the couch, laughed in the halls, and threw parties on the weekends. Today, in honor of former tenant Sean Locke, it serves as a home-away-from-home to anyone battling mental illness, particularly those ages 14 to 24.
Sean Locke died by suicide on July 18, 2018, weeks before his 24th birthday, shocking his family and friends. He was a homecoming king, star basketball player, beloved son, brother, and friend who appeared to be happy. He hid his anxiety and depression well.
“He never could verbalize what he was going through for a litany of reasons,” Sean’s father Chris Locke says. “When people deal with mental illness, sometimes that voice is really hard to find. Sean’s House is a place for them to find that voice … to not suffer in silence anymore and to speak up, and then [get] the help they need.”
The office of the U.S. surgeon general has reported “significant increases in certain mental health disorders in youth, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation,” particularly in the years after the pandemic. In 2023, suicide was the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 34 and remains a major public health concern, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
The Locke family and friends hosted a basketball event seven months after Sean’s death to raise money for a national mental health resource, but the tremendous outpouring of support indicated an eagerness for more local mental health resources. The SL24: UnLocke the Light Foundation formed as a result and eventually opened Sean’s House in 2020.
SL24 continues to host fundraisers that spread awareness of mental illnesses and destigmatize treatment, plus it pushes for legislation that expands mental health resources across Delaware. The house provides a safe haven for 24/7 crisis intervention and preventative care through its free amenities, library of self-care books and resource pamphlets, information about professional health care providers, and a calendar of programs. Just last month, The Garage opened in the driveway of Sean’s House to offer an additional wellness space designed to host yoga classes, support groups, and other events.
“The No. 1 preventative factor against suicide is connection, so that’s what you can find here,” Sean’s House Director Angela Pugliese says. “Whether it’s in the general space or whether it’s a PAWS for People dog, you’re finding a connection. It is not meant to replace therapy.”
Sean’s House equips students to address others’ mental health challenges through its Peer24 Training program. Peer leads are tasked with assessing the needs of anyone who walks in and offering them a confidential support session.
“Peer support is about sharing based on your own experiences,” describes Carolyn Ulsh, a peer lead and UD psychology student. “It’s an opportunity to say, ‘Hey, I’m listening to you. I want to hear what you have to say.’ Or if you just want someone to sit with you, we’re all here and want to help.”
In five years, Sean’s House has welcomed 42,000 visitors, hosted 4,800 peer support sessions, and addressed 173 active mental health crises. SL24 also serves Delaware teens through Sean’s Rooms, which offer an environment inside high schools similar to Sean’s House.
“The statistics prove that this is a concept that can work,” Chris Locke says. “This is a concept that the community wants and needs, and none of it’s possible without their support.”
“Loss still does happen. [We offer] a space where we can say, ‘We got your back. We will walk with you through these really dark moments,’” Pugliese says. “We are very intentional about always having our lights on in front of the house to be a beacon of light in the community, literally and figuratively.”
— To talk with someone about suicidal thoughts or concern for another person, call or text the 24/7 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline using 988. In Delaware, youth crisis support is available at 800-969-4357.