By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com
Westfield High School played host to the annual Save a Life Walk in conjunction with WHS Robbie’s Hope Club and the Westfield Wellbeing Coalition on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 9, at Asa Bales Park with more than 250 people of all ages gathering to support mental health awareness.
Strands of colored beads allowed attendees to offer support for different aspects of mental health. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
Volunteers offered attendees colored beads to wear: purple for supporting mental health, green for those who suffer from mental health challenges, silver representing a family member who has struggled, blue supporting suicide prevention, and gold for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide.
WHS senior Grace Bartee spoke vulnerably with the crowd about her personal struggles.
“Anyone can cry. Anyone can be sad. Anyone can not be okay,” Bartee said. “And it’s okay to not be okay,” repeating a mantra of Robbie’s Hope.
Robbie’s Hope was founded in Colorado in 2018 by Kari and Jason Eckert following the death of their 15-year-old son to suicide. The word HOPE stands for “Hold On Pain Ends,” and the organization’s goal is to empower the next generation to cope with the pressure and stress they face today and to cut teen suicide rates in half by 2028.
A few years ago, students Zoe Milewski, Analiece Emigh, and Nora Flickinger, who are now seniors, began a Robbie’s Hope Club as there was no mental health club at WHS at the time.
On Aug. 30, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy visited Westfield High School to speak with Robbie’s Hope Club members and other WHS students about the mental health struggles facing young people today.
Westfield Washington Schools Director of Student Support and Counseling Services Kyle Miller and WHS Dean of Wellness, Connections, and Growth Jake Gilbert were on hand at the event. Miller and Gilbert also serve as interim president and past president, respectively, of the Westfield Wellbeing Coalition. WHS Principal Alicia Denniston and WHS Assistant Principal Kurt Frederick attended as well.
Both Coach Gilbert and senior Rocks football player Zeke Richardson spoke to the crowd about the importance of connecting with others and finding support through sports teams and school clubs.
Volunteers, students, parents, school staff, and community members listen as senior WHS football player Zeke Richardson talks about the importance of connecting with others to find support for mental health struggles. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
“Be bold about mental health,” Gilbert said. “Be bold about getting the help you need. Be bold about helping your friends get the help they need.”
In addition to the contemplative walk along the park paths, tables set up at the event provided participants hands-on activities, information, and opportunities to support and prioritize mental health.
One such opportunity, the Direct Your Hearts Film Contest is being piloted this year with WHS students through a partnership between the Hamilton County Community Foundation, Aspire Indiana Health, and the Hamilton County Council. The contest aims to break down barriers associated with mental health stigmas and inspire people to seek support by inviting students to create 60-second videos or 30-second animations about mental health topics.
The deadline for this year’s contest is Wednesday, Nov. 8, and the winner will receive $500 to put toward the school mental health program or mental health organization of the filmmaker’s choice. To enter the contest or learn more, go to directyourhearts.com. Next year, the competition will be open to all Hamilton County high school students and individuals up to age 25.
To support or learn more about Robbie’s Hope, visit robbies-hope.com.
A crowd of about 250 gathered at Asa Bales Park for the WHS Save A Life Walk to promote mental health awareness. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)