Mental health matters to our team because our generation deserves better. The world today has changed since a decade ago, two decades ago. Young people today grow up inundated with unattainable, photoshopped standards of beauty and perfect, cherry-picked moments from the lives of others. We live in an increasingly fast-paced world that values sleep less and less, labels crying as a weakness, suppresses any vulnerability with a shrug of the shoulders and a mumble of “suck it up,” and ensures that when we cry out for help, we do not feel seen.

Not one of us had a hand in shaping this world. To put things in perspective, the oldest senior this year was one when Facebook launched. But our developing brains are the ones dealing with the consequences. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in teens and young adults, and our rates of anxiety and depression have been rising since 2003. Yet not all who need treatment are able to get it. Lingering stigma and lack of education have kept people of all ages from receiving treatment.

Don’t let us face this alone. We can improve things for those who follow.

You can help today. We are raising funds for 1N5, a local mental health nonprofit, through their annual Warrior Run. All of the money raised through the Warrior Run goes towards evidence-based mental health education in local schools. Choose "donate" to sponsor our team.  Choose "Join Team" to join our team for the event. We know the event is on our Homecoming, but it isn’t about running the race. It’s about creating a community of people that are ready to help stop the stigma. 

On behalf of the entire team, thank you.

The Sycamore High School speak up AVES team