Meet Owen

A young man with curly brown hair, wearing a navy blazer, white shirt, and patterned orange tie, standing outdoors by a white wall and a large arched window with white framing.

Owen Willers was a kind, compassionate, and disciplined young man known for his strength, humor, and selflessness. He made others feel valued and important, offering encouragement even in tough moments. Despite battling mental health challenges, Owen remained dedicated to helping others struggling with their own issues.

Owen Willers died unexpectedly on Father’s Day, June 16, 2024, just two weeks after graduating high school in Nashville, TN. He was 18 years old.

Owen was beloved for his integrity, kindness, and emotional depth. He served as President of his school’s Honor Council, earned awards for character and creativity, and was an accomplished artist. His AP Art series, “The Mental Health of Teens,” gave a vulnerable, insightful look into the invisible battles many young people face.

Owen had plans to become a psychologist. He wanted to help people live fuller, mentally healthier lives—whether they were elite athletes or teens just trying to make it through the day.

Despite his many strengths, Owen struggled with:

  • ADHD

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder

  • Depression

  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder (a form of OCD)

  • Insomnia

  • Smartphone addiction and sleep disruption

He worked hard to manage these challenges through therapy, medication, mindfulness practices, and the support of friends and family. On the night of his death, Owen had an anxiety attack and took a combination of his prescribed medication, a few beers, and over-the-counter sleep aids in an effort to calm down and rest. It was not an intentional overdose, but a tragic accident.

There is no sensational story. Just a kind, brilliant, deeply human young man who lost a battle that too many are fighting alone.

The Goldfinch Foundation exists to make sure no one else has to suffer in silence.

Owens Art

“I love representing emotions and feelings through art that cannot be characterized into words. In my life, creating art is my way of processing thoughts, important decisions, and complex emotions“
— Owen Willers

“There is strength in Vulnerability.”

—Owen