More than 700,000 people die by suicide each year, a staggering figure that local non-profit Tudor House is working to reduce by addressing the stigma surrounding mental health.

Every year, the non-profit throws the annual Big Kahuna fundraiser with a swim meet. But this year, a new tournament was introduced.

A nonprofit in Roanoke is teaming up with the Bradley Free Clinic to ensure people in the Roanoke Valley have access to mental healthcare.

Swimmers made a splash Saturday to raise money for the Tudor House scholarship and promote suicide prevention.

ROANOKE, Va – A non-profit committed to suicide awareness and prevention in memory of a Roanoke man is one step closer to having a permanent home. The Tudor House has been renovating the former home of Tudor’s Biscuit World which closed its doors in 2012. The non-profit is named for Louis Tudor who took his own life after struggling with isolation caused the pandemic. The director of Tudor House hopes the new space acts as a place where people can come find resources and counseling. “It’s very special to us because Louis’ legacy is where he provided a safe haven for customers for friends or family, so it seems like a perfect fit,” Director of Tudor House Kathleen Thorell said.

ROANOKE, Va. – A mental health organization created after a Roanoke restaurant owner’s suicide is preparing to turn the restaurant space into a safe space. Tudor House plans to transform the former Tudor’s Biscuit World in downtown Roanoke into a mental health and suicide prevention counseling center. Executive director Kathleen Thorell said construction will start next month, with the goal of opening the Tudor House this summer. Thorell envisions the brick-and-mortar Tudor House as a place for people to open up about their mental health. “Part of the drawback for mental health services is that it’s not easily accessible," Thorell said.

ROANOKE, Va. – The loss of Louis Tudor this July struck the hearts of many in the Roanoke community, but his legacy will live on. His family is partnering with downtown businesses to raise money for a mental health center to be named the Tudor House. Simply Framing, Black Dog Salvage and Texas Tavern are selling old signs and frames. The initial plan right now is to renovate the old Tudor Biscuit business on Church Street to host mental health support groups. And since this has happened, so many people have reached out to us to tell us their stories.”

ROANOKE, Va – A non-profit honoring the life of a well-known swim coach in Roanoke is now officially being recognized as a charity. The Tudor House was created two weeks after Louis Tudor took his own life after the pandemic affected his mental health. “If there is anything that’s going to come out of [COVID-19] it’s the awareness of the need for mental health services and being mindful of your mental health and so there is a momentum with that,” Interim Director of the Tudor House Kathleen Thorell said. Any donations made to the Tudor House can be tax-deductible. For more information on Tudor House, you can visit its website here.

ROANOKE, Va – The family of a well-known swim coach in Roanoke is using his favorite pass time to raise money in his honor. Sunday the first annual End of Summer Splash was held at Hunting Hills Country Club to honor the life of Louis Tudor. Tudor died by suicide earlier this summer. The Tudor House was created to honor his life was raising money to help people who suffer from mental illness. The money raised will help get the non-profit up and running and also fund a scholarship in Tudor’s honor.

ROANOKE, Va – Family and friends of a longtime Roanoke businessman are working to honor his legacy. The Tudor House hopes to provide online resources and grief counseling for people in Roanoke. Since the fundraising started more than $22,000 have been raised to start The Tudor House. Jessica and her children hope to help honor Louis’s legacy by helping others through dark times. Organizers hope to have The Tudor House up and running within the year.

The Roanoke community is honoring the life of longtime business owner, swimming coach and father Louis Tudor. Louis Tudor’s family said he started having mental health issues around the beginning of the pandemic. At the end of the day, Louis Tudor’s family wants the community to remember him for who he was: A loving father, friend and coach. "If he were here, he would be here for anyone that needed him, and that's just who Louis Tudor was," Hannah Tudor said. A sunrise service will be held for Louis Tudor on Sunday at the Hunting Hills Country Club pool.