Our Team

Bill Kvalheim

Founder

As a current educator and former college football coach I believe it is imperative that our youth have an outlet that provides knowledge, insight, and coping skills for battling mental illness. I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and understand the burden and stigma that goes along with it. Our mission is to spread awareness to our youth and let them know that it is OK to speak up, it is OK to say something, and it is OK to reach out for help. Our hope is that this initiative can help anyone who is struggling find the strength to be proactive and reach out for a hand when needed.   


 

Ciara Kvalheim

Co-Founder

Living with someone who has mental health issues you may be confused and even scared at times. If you have never been depressed yourself, you will probably have a hard time imagining what it feels like. You may not know much about the causes of depression, what it is, or how to treat it. 

There are many steps you can take in order to educate yourself about your loved one's experience with mental health issues, but remember you need to take care of your own mental health as well!

Patti Dickens

(Founder of the RAINE Foundation)

Founder of RAINE (Reaching All in Need Everyday) a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2001 to assist children and their families who are in crisis. The RAINE team, based in Hazlet, NJ, consists of compassionate, caring individuals striving to make a difference in the lives of others. Patti is very excited to join our Tackle Depression team and looks forward to the future growth of our foundation!

Lindsay Thein

(Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCADC)

Hello! I'm Lindsay Thein and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). I specialize in working with children, adolescents, teens, families and substance use. I attended Ramapo College of NJ for my Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW) and Monmouth University for Master of Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in substance abuse and children and families. I currently hold a NJ Clinical Supervisor Certification, which allows me to supervise new social workers in the field. 

My background is extensive and consists of experience in many different areas of social work. Currently, I'm employed as a Student Assistance Counselor in the Keyport School District and have been there for 9 years. Prior to that, I worked in other school systems as a social worker and student assistance counselor. Although a majority of my tenure has been in the school system I have also worked in psychiatric facilities, crisis units in the ED, substance abuse treatment facilities and for DCP&P, formerly DYFS. It has been an awesome experience working in the mental health field and I hope with Tackle Depression we are able to end the stigma of mental health.  

Bryan Broderick, MD

( Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellow at The Johns Hopkins Hospital )

Dr. Bryan Broderick is currently a Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellow at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Bryan graduated from Caldwell University with a B.A. in Biology. He went on to earn his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School followed by Internal Medicine residency training at Johns Hopkins.

As a former intercollegiate student-athlete and current front line healthcare provider, Bryan has seen firsthand the stigma associated with mental illness and its consequences. He is incredibly proud to be part of an organization that normalizes the conversation around mental illness and provides a safe space for those struggling in silence.

Bryan lives in Baltimore, MD with his wife Mais & two children.  

Anthony Petruzzi

(Raritan High School Head Football Coach)

I have spent the last 20 years as an Educator in the Hazlet School District. As a teacher and coach I have cherished the relationships built throughout the community. I was fortunate to have served as the President of the RAINE Foundation and a Liaison to Hazlet's Hope Network over the last 5 years. 

I am excited to be a part of Tackle Depression and to continue the great work that has already been started. I am currently the Head Football Coach at Raritan High School and reside in Middletown with my wife Cynthia and three boys, Anthony, Nicholas, and Christopher.

Morgan Dickens

(Vice President of the RAINE Foundation)

Morgan Dickens graduated from Montclair State University in 2019 with a bachelors in Family Science and Human development. She is a Vice President of the RAINE Foundation and enjoys working with students who need all types of assistance including social services. Morgan has been instrumental to RAINE as the volunteer coordinate, and fulfilling the need for resource coordination. She has always been aware of the need for increased awareness around depression, anxiety and suicide prevention. She is very excited to be a part of tackle depression.

Ryan Dickens

(President of the RAINE Foundation)

As a Division 1 football player at Lafayette College, I have been extremely fortunate and grateful for football throughout my career. Throughout my entire life, football has taught me how to win and lose, to battle through adversity, work with others, but most importantly- be a leader. From a young age my parents instilled in me the importance of being a leader- not only on the gridiron, but off it as well. I pride myself on being more than just a football player.

As a leader I have worked in multiple non-profit foundations as the Founder of Drops of RAINE and an Executive Board Member of the RAINE Foundation; two organizations centered around helping children and their families in crisis. These two charities taught me what it means to give back and have offered me a perspective from someone else's shoes, a perspective that many cannot share. Along with Drops of RAINE and The RAINE Foundation I was extremely fortunate to be appointed by my peers and the State of New Jersey to sit as an active Executive Board member for the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide.

I am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of Tackle Depression; to help others who are going through a tough time, and to be a voice for others who need help. I hope to show others that there is always someone in their corner and that together, we can tackle depression.

Andrew Patterson

(Robbinsville High School Head Football Coach)

Having been rewarded with the opportunity to spend 21 years as a high school teacher, high school assistant coach (Pascack Valley HS and Robbinsville HS), collegiate assistant football coach at the D3 (TCNJ) and D1 (Princeton) levels, and now a high school head coach (Robbinsville), I can say that I have the best career in the world.

I can also say that the role mental health plays in the life of a student, student athlete, or coach, is paramount to any lessons learned in the classroom or on the field. My younger brother died by a completed suicide in 2008. I have had former students and student athletes suffer the same fate during my career. I have had experiences with and have been treated for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in the past. As an educator, I want people to know that their story matters and I am willing to listen. Remove the stigma. As coaches and teachers, we do not teach subjects or sports, we teach kids. That is what makes our jobs special. I am beyond excited to join the Tackle Depression team!

Chris Dimicco

(Lacey Township High School Head Ice Hockey Coach)

My name is Chris DiMicco a resident of Forked River New Jersey.  I live with my wife Nicole and our two children. 

I am currently a Health and Physical Education Teacher at Lacey Township High School where I am also the Head Ice Hockey Coach and assistant football/lacrosse coach. 
I am most excited about being a part of Tackle Depression because of what it represents. It provides an outlet to anyone who is struggling with their thoughts to reach out, get help, and talk about their emotions. As a former high school and collegiate athlete I kept my emotions inside because I was afraid to show them. It is okay to speak about how you feel and express yourself and I 
Couldn't be more proud to be a part of Tackle Depression!

Katie Olini

(Licensed Athletic Trainer MS ATC)

As a healthcare worker I've seen first hand how mental health can debilitate life. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I found running to bolster my mental health. Finishing a run leaves me feeling like I've hit reset and can better handle my day and emotions.

Learning to also speak up and not be afraid to ask for help has allowed led me to accept my anxiety and has helped pave ways for me to better cope and gain control of my mental health. I couldn't be more excited to be a part of the Tackle Depression team!

Anthony Giordano

(Clifton High School Offensive Coordinator)

I am currently a middle school Health and Physical Education teacher in Clifton, NJ where I am also the middle school Site Supervisor. I have been the offensive coordinator for Clifton High School football for the past 6 seasons and am blessed with great student athletes and support. I am very excited to be a part of the Tackle Depression foundation because our main goal is helping people, spreading awareness, and directing those in need to where they can receive the help that they deserve. 

Jeff Rainess

(Holmdel High School Head Football Coach)

Jeff is currently the Head Football Coach at Holmdel High School. Coach Rainess is passionate about football/sports and the positive impact it can have on student-athletes' lives. He learned about the Tackle Depression platform during the pandemic and has become increasingly interested in developing ways to increase awareness and treatment of mental health issues in our communities. Jeff lives in Holmdel with his beautiful wife, Jenn and their 3 children, Mac, Jake and Charlotte.


Jeff Papcun

(Raritan High School Assistant Head Coach)

Jeff graduated from Montclair State University where he played Wide Receiver for the Red Hawks football program. Jeff currently resides in Hazlet with his wife Jessica and their children!