Zeeland Family Marks Decade of Mental Health Advocacy in Son's Memory

The Kroll family continues their nonprofit 'Love and Lean' to honor Zach Kroll and reduce stigma around mental health.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:50am

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More than a decade after the death of 15-year-old Zeeland East student Zach Kroll, his family continues working through their nonprofit, Love and Lean, to keep his memory alive and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. The Kroll family soon began advocating for open mental health conversations after Zach's death, which they say was caused by his struggle with depression that the family was unaware of at the time.

Why it matters

The Kroll family's story highlights the ongoing need to destigmatize mental health issues and encourage more open conversations, especially among young people. Their nonprofit work aims to ensure other families don't experience the same tragedy they did by raising awareness and supporting mental health resources in their local community.

The details

After Zach's death in 2015, the Kroll family started participating in the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan's Stomp Out Stigma Walk in Grand Rapids. This inspired them to create their own local event, the Love and Lean Walk/Run, which has grown to over 650 participants. The annual event features sidewalk chalk messages, signs from local schools, memorial signs, and live music. Over the years, the Krolls have raised thousands of dollars for the Mental Health Foundation and other nonprofits focused on mental health support.

  • Zach Kroll died in 2015 at the age of 15.
  • The Kroll family first participated in the Stomp Out Stigma Walk in Grand Rapids in 2016.
  • The first Love and Lean Walk/Run event was held in Zeeland in 2018.
  • The 10th annual Love and Lean Walk/Run will be held on April 25, 2025.

The players

Zach Kroll

A 15-year-old Zeeland East student who died by suicide in 2015. He was known for his laid-back personality, sense of humor, and passions for drumming and soccer.

Lori Kroll

Zach's mother, who co-founded the Love and Lean nonprofit to honor her son's memory and reduce the stigma around mental health issues.

Love and Lean

A nonprofit organization founded by the Kroll family to advocate for mental health awareness and support in their local community.

Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan

A nonprofit organization that hosts the annual Stomp Out Stigma Walk, which inspired the creation of the Love and Lean event.

Team Be Better, i understand, and Winning At Home

Nonprofits that will receive funds raised through the 2025 Love and Lean Walk/Run event.

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What they’re saying

“He always had a laid back personality, very gentle, quiet spirit about him, but he also had a sense of humor that was crazy, like just witty one-liners and jokes, he was always making people laugh and smile.”

— Lori Kroll, Zach's mother

“When it happened, the community, our family, his friends — everybody was in total shock, because Zach was the kid that made everybody laugh and smile, and was always upbeat.”

— Lori Kroll, Zach's mother

“It just breaks our heart that he didn't reach out. The shame and the secrecy — that's what's challenged us to help make a difference in other people's lives, and to decrease that shame and secrecy.”

— Lori Kroll, Zach's mother

“His life purpose didn't end when he died. I feel like it just keeps being carried on in a different way, like it's part of our story now.”

— Lori Kroll, Zach's mother

“I think he'd be really happy to see the progress made, that hopefully we've saved other lives because we're opening up about our experience and our journey.”

— Lori Kroll, Zach's mother

What’s next

The 10th annual Love and Lean Walk/Run will be held on April 25, 2025 at Zeeland Stadium.

The takeaway

The Kroll family's story is a powerful example of how a tragic loss can inspire meaningful advocacy and community-building around mental health. Their nonprofit work and annual event aim to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and ensure other families don't experience the same heartbreak they did.