Honoring
James Henry McCann IV:
A Legacy of Love, Healing, and Hope
CHANGING THE FUTURE OF YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH – ONE BRAIN AT A TIME
Providing Access to Answers. Delivering Hope. Changing Young Lives.
In honor of James Henry McCann IV, a brilliant, creative, and compassionate young man whose life ended far too soon, the Foundation provides adolescents and young adults males and females (ages 10–25) access to answers, personalized brain-based care, and hope through comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, including SPECT imaging, and integrative treatment, empowering families to understand the brain, treat root causes, and change life trajectories.
A message from james mccann’s parents
After losing James, our family made a commitment to ensure other adolescents, young adults, and families would have access to the answers, care, and hope that James so deeply deserved.
His legacy lives on through every young life we help, every family we support, and every barrier to care we remove.
Foundation’s GOAL
We want to raise $250,000 in 2026 to provide 50 scholarships for adolescent and young adults. Donate any amount, and The James Henry McCann IV Foundation will match the first $50,000 donated — amplifying your impact.
CHANGE THE FUTURE OF YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH—ONE BRAIN AT A TIME
Want to make an even greater difference? Consider that a $2,500 donation sponsors one full scholarship given the matching gift from the foundation for the first 20 scholarships. Providing our youth male or female (ages 10 to 25) with life-changing brain health diagnostics and personalized treatment.
GOAL MET FOR 2025
GOAL FOR 2026
James’ Story:
FROM LOSS TO LEGACY
James Henry McCann IV was an intelligent, creative, and endlessly curious young man. A natural engineer, he found joy in bringing ideas to life, whether designing intricate woodworking projects, building a 14-foot fishing skiff, or imagining new ways to create and innovate.
Beyond his craftsmanship, James had a deep love for nature and animals. He was always eager to rescue creatures in need and care for his family’s pets. He was also a fierce competitor and dedicated teammate, excelling as a varsity pitcher and outfielder in high school. His friendships, built on laughter, loyalty, and kindness, were among his greatest joys.
But James’s journey was also marked by silent struggles. Anxiety and OCD followed him into adolescence and young adulthood. After college, the weight of these challenges, compounded by the isolation of the global pandemic, became overwhelming.
Like so many young people, James navigated a system that often focuses on managing symptoms through medication, without fully understanding the underlying causes of his symptoms. When he needed to change medications due to adverse side effects, he experienced severe withdrawal, which further intensified his OCD symptoms leading him to despair.
JAMES’ LIFE ENDED FAR TO SOON. BUT HIS STORY DOES NOT HAVE TO END HERE.
“Like so many young people, James faced a system that treated symptoms, without ever fully understanding the brain.”
A BRAIN FIRST APPROACH
We take a brain-first approach, using SPECT imaging to identify patterns of healthy, low, or excessive brain activity enabling personalized, integrative care that uncovers root causes, not just symptoms.
Mental health symptoms are often treated without fully understanding the brain and genetics.
Too often:
- Conditions are misdiagnosed
- Treatments are trial-and-error
- Root causes go unidentified
- Symptoms are treated with endless medications
- Our adolescents and young adults are labeled with a mental health illness
We believe there is a better way. When we see the brain, we can:
- Improve diagnostic accuracy
- Personalize treatment: If you see it, you can change it!
- Engage in brain healthy habits and avoid anything that hurts your brain.
- Restore hope earlier
ALARMING STATISTICS
2nd leading cause
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10 – 24
1 in 7 adolescents
Ages 10-19 experience a mental disorder, with depression and anxiety among the leading causes of illness
4x higher in males
Suicide rates among males remain alarmingly high—22.8 per 100,000 men compared to 5.7 per 100,000 women
2025 IMPACT SNAPSHOT
- $150,000+ raised in under one year
- 30 scholarships funded
- 30 youth currently receiving care through rapid scholarship activation
- 17 Founding Scholarships Referral Partners Across the US
- Diagnosis treated: (Kimberly Provides)
- Launched Corporate Partnerships Program
YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY
By partnering with the Change Your Brain Foundation, you join leading organizations dedicated to improving lives through better brain health. The companies below proudly support our mission to advance research, education, and outreach for those facing anxiety, depression, addiction, and cognitive decline. Together, we’re breaking stigma and making brain health accessible to all. You’re truly in good company.
36.2% of young adults (18-25)
faced mental illness in 2022 (NIMH)
National Institute of Mental Health
CDC’s latest youth well-being study
- 4 in 10 high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, with 1 in 4 male (28%)
- 2 in 10 students seriously considered attempting suicide and almost 1 in 10 students attempted suicide.
- For girls, the rates are often higher. But boys are far less likely to seek help when they need it.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The James Henry McCann IV Foundation Scholarship Program supports boys and girls, young men and young women ages 10–25 who are struggling with mental health, cognitive, or behavioral challenges, or brain health including TBI and concussions and lack financial access to comprehensive care.
What the Scholarship Includes
- Personal intake history
- 2 Brain SPECT imaging to assess brain function
- Comprehensive Neuropsychological assessments
- Meeting with Amen Clinic Physician for interpretation of results and personalized treatment plan
- 3 follow up appointments with Amen Clinic physicians
- Brain MD Supplements
APPLICATION CRITERIA AND HOW TO APPLY
Application Criteria / Qualification
Applicants must:
- Be male or female between ages 10–25.
- Struggle with mental health, brain health or cognitive deficits including behavioral challenges, anxiety, depression, OCD, ADD, ADHD, bipolar, depersonalization, suicidal ideation, autism, concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and more.
- Patient has the ability to travel to any of the 11 Amen Clinic Locations and can cover their own travel related expenses.
- Have financial need
Application Link
or
Join Us in Honoring James’ Legacy
Together, we can revolutionize youth mental health, replacing stigma with science, despair with hope, and silence with education.
We believe that when you change a brain, you change a life and ultimately, the world.
Donate today and help us change the worlD, one brain at a time.
The James Henry McCann IV foundation will match every dollar donated up to $50.000, which will amplify your impact.
Support Our Cause
Help our organization by donating today!
Select where you would like your contribution to go towards?