Honoring Eli Robinson’s Story and the Urgent Need for Mental Health Support

Eli Robinson was a beloved brother, friend, and member of his community whose life was marked by deep affection, creativity, and struggle. After years of living with schizophrenia — a complex mental health condition that affects thinking, feeling, and behavior — Eli died by suicide in April 2025 at the age of 31.

Diagnosed in his early 30s with a rare and incurable form of schizophrenia, Eli endured relentless auditory hallucinations that led him to believe his family was in danger. Despite the family’s unwavering support and access to extensive treatment options, Eli’s internal experience became unbearable. In a tragic moment on the Piscataqua River Bridge in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, he took his own life.

Eli’s siblings, including NBA player Duncan Robinson, have since shared their story to honor his memory and to underscore the realities of living with severe mental illness. Their family’s advocacy has drawn attention to the gaps in mental health care, the need for better crisis prevention infrastructure, and the importance of support for caregivers and loved ones.

In the wake of Eli’s death, the Robinson family has worked to channel their grief into purpose. Donations made in his name to the Seacoast Mental Health Center raised significant support for local services, and the family has called for safety improvements at sites like the Piscataqua River Bridge to prevent similar tragedies.

Their experience — marked by love, hope, challenge, and loss — has helped inspire the creation of the Robinson Family Foundation, which aims to expand awareness, support, and resources for mental health, heart health, and physical wellbeing for individuals and the families who care for them.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You can call, text, or chat confidentially 24/7 with a trained crisis counselor through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at no cost.

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