As the former Interim Director of the New Mexico Behavioral Health Services Division, Stanford Kemp was instrumental in establishing our Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. Stanford passed away in December 2023.

Someone once told me that there are friends that enter our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Stanford Kemp was that rare friend and gift who was all three.

My story of Stanford starts in the winter of 2022, when I befriended a woman during a ski trip. She mentioned her connections to behavioral health services, so when I stepped into my role as Acting Executive Director and began to envision CISNM’s potential to make an impact in the behavioral health realm, I reached out to her. She referred me to Stanford Kemp, saying “you’ve going to love this guy!”

There is a magic that happens in certain serendipitous moments. It seemed I reached out to Stanford at just the right time, because he wrote back immediately. We met for a coffee became instant friends. In fact, we laughed so much and for so long that we closed down the coffee place, and when they kicked us out we laughed for another hour or so outside the shop. In truth, Stanford and I never stopped laughing. Every time we saw each other it was easy, loud, contagious laughter.

Stanford became a major partner in CISNM’s work. He saw potential in our model, and made the decision to entrust his vision the Yellow Ribbon statewide youth suicide prevention program to us. He saw something meaningful and great in our little nonprofit and our ability to build relationships that change lives for the better. He saw our heart and our care for children and their families, and wanted to lift that up in awareness across New Mexico.

Stanford left this physical plane of existence in late December, which is how I think he’d want me to say that. Hearing of his death was heart wrenching. My heart still remains tender in this grief. I knew him for such a short time, a far too brief year and half, but his passing has truly had a profound impact on my life.

As I round the corners of my dance with my grief following his death, I remember that the greatest gift we give to those we lose is to honor them by turning around and keeping on with our living, feeling them walk with us from here on out. Stanford lived a gregarious, energetic life, full of vigor and joy. He jumped into every day guided by his love for life, his intuition, and his passion for making the world better. The mental health initiatives he established have changed so many lives for the better.

The important work we continue now has roots in his passion, inspiration and deep love for the community. All of this walks with us now, and is a profound part of our approach to serving.

Sometimes, I can close my eyes and feel Stanford nudging me, in his playful way, like a kid on the playground in line behind me pointing out that the slide is clear and it’s my turn to go. ”Go!,” he might say. “Keep making a difference. Show the world how to do the same. And laugh as loud as you can whenever possible!”

I will always walk in gratitude for the way that Stanford Kemp changed my life, for his deep belief in Communities In Schools of New Mexico and our work, and for the truly innovative ways that he impacted lives and improved outcomes for so many across our state. I will continue to serve in his honor – for the reason, the season and my lifetime – as he did, for so many.

With heart,
Michelle Katz, CISNM Executive Director