The Jared Monroe Foundation

On this nine-year anniversary, we pause to remember and honor our beloved Jared. Not a day goes by that we don’t feel his absence, and his presence is still so deeply woven into our hearts. Those who knew Jared will never forget his smile; it lit up every room he walked into. He had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and loved. His heart was open to everyone, and his spirit was full of promise. Jared was deeply loved, by his family, his friends, his teammates, his community, and at Arizona State University. People were drawn to him, his kindness, his energy, his humor, and his sincerity. He could turn strangers into friends in an instant; his laughter was something you never forgot.

We lost Jared when he was just 19 years old. A life so full of potential, taken far too soon. And while the pain never fades, neither does the impact he continues to have. His story has become a source of awareness, hope, and understanding for others facing bipolar disorder.

Jared’s journey was one of courage. He fought hard. He showed up for therapy, for treatment, and for himself. He wanted to understand what was happening to him. In that journey, he came to realize that ma*****na had been a trigger for the onset of his mental illness. Nine years ago, this was not something many people talked about or fully understood. I still remember the moment the psychiatrist told us how dangerous ma*****na could be. It was overwhelming—but in that moment, I knew this truth had to be part of Jared’s legacy.

Today, the conversation is changing. More people are beginning to understand that ma*****na today is not the same as it once was, and that it can carry real risks—especially for young people. On this anniversary, it feels important to share that message again.

A recent study of 460,000 teenagers in the Kaiser Permanente Health System in Northern California found a link between teen cannabis use and an increased risk of developing psychosis and bipolar disorder later in life—especially for those who may already be vulnerable. For many, this may just be data. For us, it is deeply personal. It is our lived experience. And if sharing it helps even one family, then Jared’s voice is still making a difference.

Jared believed in helping others. He believed in hope, even in the darkest moments. He wrote about healing, about strength, and about pushing forward when things felt impossible. His words still live within us: "There is a light at the end of the tunnel… keep getting through each day.”

So today, in his honor:

*If you are a parent, please have the hard conversations. Your voice matters more than you know.
*If you are a young person, please understand—your brain is still developing. What may seem harmless can have life-changing consequences.
*If you notice extreme mood swings, paranoia, emotional highs and lows, or sudden personality changes after cannabis use, please don’t ignore it. Take it seriously. Reach out.

Jared’s life mattered. His story matters. And his light still shines—guiding us, reminding us, and, we hope, protecting others.

Forever our guiding light, Jared. ♥️

A huge study finds a link between cannabis use in teens and psychosis later Researchers followed more than 400,000 teens until they were adults. It found that those who used ma*****na were more likely to develop serious mental illness, as well as depression and anxiety.

Our second 2025 scholarship winner is Lia. This fall she will be attending the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government earning a Masters of Public Administration. With this degree, she hopes to gain the skills necessary to advance hazard mitigation and adaptation policies that protect and prepare vulnerable populations from climate-related events.

"My journey with Bipolar Disorder has taught me what it means to be resilient by revealing the strengths that I didn’t know existed within me all along. Rather than feeling weak because of my mental health, I take pride in the person it has helped me become."