Mental Health America

Walking the Las Vegas Strip for Mental Health Awareness September 25 2025

By Mike “Fridge” Mergner

I’m walking the entire Las Vegas Strip — from the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign all the way to The STRAT — to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. I will be live streaming the entire walk on my Instagram.

This walk is more than just miles on the pavement. It’s for the people who are still fighting, for the ones we’ve lost, and for anyone who feels invisible. I’ve seen firsthand how heavy life can get, and I want to do something real — something visible — to remind people they’re not alone.

Every dollar raised will go directly to Mental Health America, a nonprofit that’s making a difference through mental health resources, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention outreach.

Why the Strip?

Las Vegas is loud, bright, and full of distractions — just like the world can be when you’re silently struggling. By walking the Strip, I want to bring visibility to what too often stays in the dark.

How You Can Help:

• Donate — Every contribution matters, no matter the size

• Share — Post this fundraiser, tell a friend, be part of the ripple

• Walk with me — If you’re in Vegas, come take a few steps together

Whether you give $1 or $100, your support helps light the way for someone else. Thank you for standing with me. Let’s walk toward hope — one step at a time.

With love and purpose,

Mike “Fridge” Mergner

Mental Health America

Mental Health America advances the mental health and well-being of all people living in the U.S. through public education, research, advocacy and public policy, and direct service.

Every contribution, big or small, makes a real impact. Even just a few dollars can help move this mission forward and reach those who need it most.

If you can’t donate right now, sharing this fundraiser is also incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. It means the world to me.

In honor of my mother Jean Striegel

My mother passed on June 26th, 2025 from an unfortunate tragedy. She was an absolutely amazing mother and was able to take on the role of two parents my mother and father. After many years of struggling with mental health after my father passed. I wanted to commemorate in her name this charity fund to raise money for mental health awareness.

I want to have my mother memory live on in a brighter light, she was an amazing person and had a huge impact on everyone around her.

Lets make this world a better place together!

Join MEraki

Help us raise enough money to support Mental Health America and advocate for a world where mental health would be prioritized for many people.

Our mission is to unite communities, healthcare professionals, and advocates to collaboratively address and prevent medical issues through education, resources, and support. We are dedicated to creating a healthier future by fostering partnerships that raise awareness, promote proactive health practices, and ensure equitable access to care for all individuals. Together, we can strive to stop preventable health challenges and empower individuals to live healthier, longer lives.

Who We Are

We’re The Mental Wealth Club — a group of students coming together to take on something we all care deeply about: mental health. Too many people feel like they have to deal with things alone, and that no one will understand them or even care about how they feel. This is an unfortunate phenomenon that has plagued our communities, and turned young people to violence/drugs and worse — death. So we're here to say there's no time like the present to start making a change for better. You are not alone and things aren't as hard when you have support. You can live to fight along side people just like you.

This project started as a class assignment, but it’s become something more. We're on a mission to break the stigma around mental health, talk about it openly, and take real steps to support people in our communities.

We’re raising money for Mental Health America (MHA) — an amazing nonprofit that’s been fighting for mental health support, education, and early intervention for over 100 years. Their work is saving lives, and we want to be a part of it.

Why We're Raising Funds

Mental health challenges can hit anyone — no matter your background, your age, or your story. And for many of us, especially young people, it’s hard to find the help we need. Between breaking traditional toxcity surrounding mental health and even being able to gain enough emotional intellegence from our peers and support system to emotionally grow, things can become bleak rather quickly. So much so, sadly, some of us never even attempt to seek the help that we need. Whether it’s stigma, cost, or just not knowing where to turn, way too many people are struggling in silence.

Your support will help fund:

Free mental health screenings that can help people take that first step

Education programs in schools and communities

Support for marginalized youth who often face the biggest barriers to care

Resources and outreach for those in crisis or at risk

We chose MHA because they focus on prevention, access, and advocacy — just like we do.

Why It Matters to Us (and Maybe to You, Too)

We’re doing this because we’ve been there. We’ve seen what anxiety, depression, burnout, or identity struggles can do — to ourselves, our friends, our families. It’s not just a personal issue. It’s a community issue. And we believe that when we support mental health, we’re building something bigger: a world that actually cares.

So if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, left out, or just needed someone to understand you — this fundraiser is for you.

How You Can Help

Chip in whatever you can — even $5 makes a difference

Share the link with your people — social media, text, wherever

Talk about it — your voice has power, and normalizing mental health starts with conversations

Let’s Redefine What Wealth Means

Because real wealth? It’s not in money — it’s in mental strength, community support, and compassion.

Join us. Be a part of this movement.

Help us build a world where minds are cared for, not ignored.

The Mental Wealth Club

Hello,

We are the Mental Health Eagles: a group of students with the University of North Texas, working together to practice civic engagement within our communities. For our final project, we are promoting our fundraiser for a non-profit organization which addresses an all-to-common social issue plaguing our community: mental illness and mental health support. That is why we are partnering with Mental Health America to raise funds for the work their organization does.

As college students, we are all too familiar with the effects of poor mental health and mental illness can have on the success, lives, and wellbeing of ourselves and our colleagues. Below, we’ve included a few of the concerning yet important data we found during our research.

• In 2021, over 60% of college students screened across 723 campuses met the criteria for at least one mental health condition (Lipson, S. K., et al., Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 306, 2022)

• Students seeking help at campus counseling centers increased almost 40% between 2009 and 2015, and trends continue to rise (CCMH Annual Report, 2015)

• The University of North Texas supports more than 3,000 veterans in their student body.

o Veterans on campus are 1.7 to 2.4 times more likely to screen positive for mental health concerns than their colleagues, yet only 41.5% receive treatment (J Am Coll Health, 2022)

• 45.5% of First-Generation students with depression, anxiety and/or suicidal ideation received any mental health treatment in the past year, relative to 55.1% of Continuing Generation students (Cogent Ment Health, Healthy Minds Study, 2023)

In our fundraising for Mental Health America, we want to highlight different programs of MHA’s that address these concerns and more. From the ‘Clifford Beers Society’ that connects leaders and advocates of mental health that collectively work to support those affected by mental health, to councils that work to change public policy at the state and federal levels, to research and screening projects that keep MHA informed and up-to-date on the current state of America’s mental health crisis.

According to Mental Health America’s website (https://mhanational.org/),

“$50 connects 40 people to our free online mental health screening tools.

$100 helps us reach 2,000 people with essential public education tools and resources.

$500 supports the professional growth of a nationally recognized youth mental health leader for six months, empowering them to advocate for change and provide vital support to their peers.”

While ‘1 in 5 people struggle with mental health, 5 in 5 people have mental health’ (Mental Health America, 2025). Our team motto is “Soaring to new heights”, so we are constantly seeking ways to go above and beyond to work with MHA and improve our community. How ever you can support us‒whether its donating to our fundraiser, sharing our link, or taking the time to visit Mental Health America’s website‒you are flying with us on our journey for a better tomorrow.

With Great Appreciation,

The Mental Health Eagles

Team Shine On Squad, reporting for duty!

Our names are Sisi, Rudy, Cristal, Brad, and Mornae, and we're a group of college students at the University of North Texas. We know that recovery is not magic - it takes time!

That's why we want to introduce a very special organization that we fully support and care deeply for - Mental Health of America (MHA). MHA has been the nation's leading nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to combating mental health problems for 100 years (Mental Health America, 2024). They are committed to the prevention, identification, and provision of support and treatment for those at risk of mental health problems. We want to help raise funds and bring awareness to aid with all the community outreach programs that MHA has to offer, which provide education, care, and advocacy for those who are already struggling with mental health issues. The symptoms of mental health issues are not always visible but can have lasting effects that can be very detrimental in one's life, which has a rippling effect on families, friends, work environments, and communities.

Why this matters

This matters to us because 1-in-5 adults in the U.S. struggles with their mental health, and roughly 60% of those people aren’t receiving the treatment they need. The numbers are even more alarming for youth, with suicide being the 2nd leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10-24 years old (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2023) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022).

This affects everyone, and we have all seen the signs of friends being distant, or classmates showing frustration or being overwhelmed, and family members who struggle silently every day, trying to figure out a way out. These aren’t just statistics or numbers; these are people we love and care about. Mental health affects ALL of us directly or indirectly, and it's up to us to play our part in helping the community get better.

We know, because...

We also struggle with our mental health sometimes. The following story was anonymously submitted by the team to share with you here:

“I want to share a bit of my experience with you.

Usually, when people hear the word anxiety, it isn't "just stress," it's more than that. The effects of it are so profound and interconnected that it impacts the mind, body, and behavior. Inside the mind, it's a catastrophizing world, like a lightning storm with no end, clashing with more brutal force each time, filling the head with endless loops of "what-if" scenarios or black-and-white thinking. It's overwhelming. There isn't even peace inside one's mind, and because of that, fatigue comes to play, sometimes too much to the point where you burn out, and all that's left is to feel emotionally "numb". It's pitiful. Even your behavior can change, not always, but sometimes it feels heavy, like you're drowning in the ocean, and as much as you try to swim up to the surface, you accept your fate and leave yourself be. Sometimes, it manifests as avoidance, social withdrawal, irritability, or lack of motivation. Your body isn't yours to control anymore; your behavior, thoughts, and body are out of reach, and as miserable as that might sound, this isn't always the case. There are good and bad days, but there are usually more good days as of now. Recognizing and accepting it was the first step, followed by getting help, such as going to therapy, incorporating more exercise into my lifestyle, and even meditating. There's a quote that I think is quite valuable that my therapist told me when I started my journey to self-recovery: "Anxiety is not your fault, but it is your responsibility to manage it. The goal isn't to eliminate anxiety, but to prevent it from eliminating you." —Dr. Claire Weekes, pioneer in anxiety treatment "

How to support

Your donation will help MHA in:

Stand with Us

We invite you to join us as a strong, united community in mental health, giving aid for yourself or loved ones, and everyone else who quietly suffers every day.

Learn more by visiting:

https://mhanational.org/

Phone: (703) [phone redacted]

References

Changing lives through acts of kindness: On Behalf of Mental Health America

Hi, we are Unbreakable Minds, a group of University of North Texas students who have come together in support of mental health awareness. As a team, we are working to raise funds on behalf of Mental Health America (MHA), a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Our story and why we chose Mental Health America

Mental health is an issue that affects many individuals, directly or indirectly. 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition. 5 in 5 people suffer from mental health. We chose to focus on mental health because it’s something that deeply affects many college students, including ourselves. As students, we know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to balance school, work, relationships and personal responsibilities. Which often, students juggle all at once. Many of us have experienced or seen friends struggle with stress, anxiety, burnout or depression, and it’s not necessarily easy to talk about or even to ask for help. Mental health is often pushed aside in college environments where productivity and achievement are prioritized, but we believe it’s time to change that. By sharing our story and starting new conversations, we hope to raise awareness and create a space where other students feel seen, supported, heard, and even encouraged to prioritize their mental wellbeing.

Please watch the video below on how to ask for help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNxfR0hovzY

About Mental Health America

Mental Health America is the nation’s leading nonprofit, established in 1908 and dedicated to promoting mental health, well-being, and condition prevention.

Mental Health America was established by a person with lived experience, Clifford W. Beers. During his stays in public and private institutions, Beers witnessed and was subjected to horrible abuse. From these experiences, Beers set into motion a reform movement that took shape as Mental Health America.

Mental Health America’s mission and vision are to advance the mental health and well-being of all people living in the U.S through public education, research, advocacy and policy, and direct service.

Mental Health America advocates for legislation that will have a lasting and positive effect on the lives of individuals suffering from mental health conditions and their families. Their unique approach is to ask the community what support is needed to live the lives they want.

The Bell of Hope | Mental Health America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpjcxKEs5FI&t=19s

Current Mental health statistics as of 2024 in the United States include:

2024-State-of-Mental-Health-in-America-Report

https://mhanational.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-State-of-Mental-Health-in-America-Report.pdf

When donating to Mental Health America, you can trust that your donations will make an impact.

Here is how your donation helps:

Here is a snapshot of what Mental Health America accomplished in 2023:

We humbly ask that you or your organization join us in “Changing lives through acts of kindness”.

Our goal is to raise $1000 on behalf of Mental Health America.

You can find more information on Mental Health America below:

https://mhanational.org/

500 Montgomery Street, Suite 820

Alexandria, VA. 22314

Phone (703) [phone redacted] | Toll Free (800)

969.6642 Fax (703) [phone redacted]

Mental Health America 2025 Priorities

https://mhanational.org/policy-issues/mental-health-america-2025-priorities/

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide Prevention Hotline. If it is an emergency, dial 911, or chat at https://988lifeline.org/

Project Safe Place provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for young people in crisis through a network of qualified agencies, trained volunteers, and businesses in 32 states. Call the hotline to find out if the program operates in your state.

Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation’s leading community-based non-profit, dedicated to understanding and addressing the needs of individuals living with mental illness, while championing early intervention and recovery for everyone. Since its founding in 1909, MHA has bravely pioneered a shift in how society views mental health, by insisting it deserves the same urgency and compassion as physical health. Through vital education, community outreach, smart public policy, and essential programs, MHA works to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background, can access the mental health resources and support they need to truly thrive.

Mental health is a fundamental part of who we are, shaping our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Yet, for too many, it remains a silent struggle, often hidden by stigma and a lack of accessible support. Our campaign is driven by a deep commitment to change this, and we're proud to partner with Mental Health America.

Why Mental Health Demands Our Attention

Mental health is health and it affects all of us. It is a critical component of every person’s well-being yet, millions of people still suffer in silence because of stigma, lack of understanding and support, and limited access to care.

For decades, mental health disorders have continuously been misunderstood, under-prioritized, and stigmatized. Today, the need for mental health advocacy, support, and awareness is more urgent than ever.

Research:

The latest data paints a clear picture of the widespread impact of mental health challenges across the U.S.:

How Common Is Mental Illness?

The Reality of Suicidal Thoughts

Our Youth are Struggling

Substance Use Challenges

Barriers to Getting Help

How the money will be used:

We do not promise that your donation will fund any single project, but every contribution helps sustain programs supported by MHA.

Why This Organization Matters to Us?

A member from our organization has been diagnosed with epilepsy as an adult. They had to make major changes in their life. They can no longer drive, they need some assistance on a regular basis. Every time they have a seizure in public a lot of attention is given. They felt very self-conscious and embarrassed. Eventually, they didn’t want to leave their home.

When first learning of their diagnosis, they went from doctor to doctor looking for treatment. While going through Dr. appointments and evaluations, they were diagnosed with depression. Their family members didn’t know the symptoms of depression. Mental Health Awareness is important to educate people in the signs of mental illness.

Learn More and Get Support

For more information about mental health, MHA's programs, or to find resources:

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please seek immediate help:

About us

We are a group of students from the University of North Texas participating in a class project to raise awareness and donations towards Mental Health America. Our team members are Alex Ho, Chandler Rios, Daphne Harris, Cameron Shatto, and Daveawn Armstead. We are united by a shared passion for mental health advocacy and are excited to contribute to this cause through our campaign project.

Sources:

ZonaIT. (n.d.). The WHO publishes a report on the consequences that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on mental health and attention to mental health services. The WHO publishes a report on the consequences that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on mental health and attention to mental health services - Biotech Spain. https://biotech-spain.com/en/articles/the-who-publishes-a-report-on-the-consequences-that-the-covid-19-pandemic-has-had-on-mental-health-and-attention-to-mental-health-services/

Mental Health Month Graphics and printables. Mental Health America. (2025, April 8). https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month/graphics/

Mental Health America. (2023). The state of mental health in America. https://mhanational.org/position-statements/the-state-of-mental-health-in-america

Mental Health America. (2024, July 29). MHA releases 2024 State of Mental Health in America report. https://mhanational.org/news/mha-releases-2024-state-of-mental-health-in-america-report

Mental Health America. (2024). 2024 The state of mental health in America: Youth data. https://mhanational.org/issues/2024/mental-health-america-youth-data

Mental Health America. (2024). Access to mental health care in the U.S. https://mhanational.org/issues/2024/access-care

Mental Health America. (2024). Suicidal ideation and substance use disorder statistics. https://mhanational.org/issues/2024/suicide-and-substance-use

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Mental illness. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved June 28, 2025, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Suicide statistics. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved June 28, 2025, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Advancing health equity in mental health care. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved June 28, 2025, from https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health-equity

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 31). Mental health basics. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm

Introduction: Who We Are and Why This Matters

Our organization, Mental Health America, is dedicated to supporting those navigating life's most difficult challenges. Whether it is overcoming the loss of a loved one, facing deep emotional pain, or feeling paralyzed by the belief that failure defines them. There is a quote that says, "When the inner hero runs your life, you are filled with confidence and optimism and are a solution-focused person. When the villain is in charge, the polar opposite, robbing you of the courage, energy, and confidence to make the shifts toward the best you". Mental Health America offers access to free screenings, training, advocacy, and community support programs because they believe that mental health is not a luxury but rather it is a necessity. Mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, and addiction affect millions of people worldwide every year. Every day, many fight silently to overcome these invisible battles, and sadly, when the weight becomes too heavy and they feel most alone, some fall deeper into despair. This is why we feel that raising awareness, offering support, and being present for one another is so important because nobody should have to suffer alone.

Understanding the Social Issue: Mental Health in America

Affecting millions worldwide annually, mental health is a widespread issue that does not receive the support it deserves. According to The National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year, and half of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental health condition at some point in their lives. A recent study conducted by Mental Health America found that 50% of all mental health conditions appear by age 14 and 75% of them by age 24. In other words, mental health issues start young.

The mental health crisis amongst teens is especially alarming. According to the CDC, over 40% of high school students have stated at some point that they have felt persistently sad or hopeless within the past year. These instances also increase when external factors such as housing instability impact their lives, increasing youth risk by 1.42x for anxiety and 1.57x for depression (Zehrung, Hu, Guo, Zheng, & Chen, 2024). Resources like the 988 Mental Health Crisis Line, which has handled more than 16 million calls, texts, and chats since its launch in July 2022, are critical in expanding awareness and ensuring people get help when they need it most. The fight doesn't end here; organizations like Mental Health America play a critical role in the solution to this crisis. They are working to not only raise awareness but also provide free screenings and fight for better access to care, especially for those who need it most.

There have been studies shown that individuals with a lower level of positive wellbeing are substantial to acquire mental illness (Singh, Kumar, & Gupta, 2022). Such as always taking negative things, being around negative people, or constantly having a negative thinking mindset. In the past several of there's been programs to promote wellbeing and positive mental health in preventing the development disorders for poor mental health significant social and economic implications.

What Your Donation Supports

Your donation to Mental Health America will help fund the following resources:

Personal Story: Why This Work Matters

Trigger Warning: Suicide, Abuse

In 2016, before my son was born, I attempted suicide by taking 10 muscle relaxers. I was overwhelmed and exhausted. My father was dying from brain cancer, I was hours from home attending Texas Tech, and I was trapped in an abusive relationship. The abuse I endured wasn't just emotional; it was physical. The first time she hit me, I was left black and blue from being punched repeatedly. I couldn't even be touched without spiraling into a panic attack. I flinched when her hands came near me, and still, I stayed.

Things quieted down for some time until her mother passed away. The abuse returned. By then, I had my son, and we were getting ready to move to Dallas with him when I came home one day to find our room ransacked and all of our important belongings gone. Not long after this, another violent episode made it abundantly clear that I couldn't stay. I had to protect my son.

It took me years of counseling to begin to put the pieces of my life back together. Slowly, I found a sense of stability. I was able to keep a job longer than a month, and I became the present loving mother who my son deserved. To this day, I still struggle with anxiety and depression, but I now fight with a sense of purpose. Every time I look at my son, I know that God gave me a reason to keep going.

How to Get Help or Learn More

If you or a loved one is looking for mental health support, education, or resources, help is available. Start by visiting Mental Health America at www.https://mhanational.org. There, you will find information on crisis services, free mental health screenings, and guides on finding professional help. For immediate support, you can also call or text the suicide and crisis hotline at 988. Your mental health matters. You are not alone. Support is just one call or click away.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Mental health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/mental-health/index.html

Higginbotham, A., & Fitzpatrick, A. (n.d.). Home. Missouri Department of Mental Health. https://dmh.mo.gov/

Mental health by the numbers. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2025, March 27). https://www.nami.org/mhstats

Quick Facts and Statistics About Mental Health. Mental Health America. (2025, April 11). https://mhanational.org/resources/quick-facts-and-statistics-about-mental-health/

Singh, V., Kumar, A., & Gupta, S. (2022, July 26). Mental health prevention and promotion-A narrative review. Frontiers in psychiatry. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9360426/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Mental illness. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

Zehrung, R., Hu, D., Guo, Y., Zheng, K., & Chen, Y. (2024, October 22). Investigating the effects of housing instability on depression, anxiety, and mental health treatment in childhood and adolescence. arXiv.org. https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.06011

Mental health in America is important, but the stigma around mental health issues silences millions, preventing them from seeking help. At BreakTheStigma, we’re launching this GoFundMe to support Mental Health America (MHA), a leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental wellness, providing resources, and advocating for those affected by mental health challenges. Our motto, "Break the Stigma," reflects our mission to challenge stereotypes, foster open conversations, and create a culture where seeking help is a sign of strength, not shame.

In America, 1 in 5 adults experiences mental illness every year, and 1 in 6 US youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year, but the fear of judgment often keeps them from seeking treatment or even talking about it. MHA’s programs like free screenings, support networks, and governmental policy advocacy empower individuals to take control of their mental health. Your donation will help fund these vital services and save lives, ensuring access for all, regardless of background or level of income. Every dollar counts: $25 can provide a screening tool; $100 can support advocacy for better mental health policies.

As the leading cause of disability in the US, mental illness affects millions, but often gets ignored. We envision a world where mental health is treated with the same urgency as physical health. By donating, you’re joining a movement to normalize mental health care and dismantle the stigma. Share our campaign, talk openly about mental health, and help us raise $5,000 for MHA. Together, we can make a difference—one conversation and one donation at a time.

Join us to Break the Stigma and support Mental Health America today!

https://gofund.me/67b37812

Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet it's often overlooked, stigmatized, and underfunded. According to the 2024 State of Mental Health in America report, 23% of adults experienced a mental illness in the past year (Mental Health America, 2024). That's equivalent to nearly 60 million Americans who are struggling with mental health conditions every day, often in silence, feeling isolated and without adequate support. This is why we are reaching out to you today on behalf of Mental Health America (MHA), an organization tirelessly working to promote mental well-being for all.

Why Mental Health America?

MHA has been a leading voice in mental health advocacy for over a century. They are dedicated to:

In a world where mental health concerns are on the rise, MHA's work is more crucial than ever. They are a beacon of hope for those feeling lost, a source of guidance for families, and a powerful advocate for a more compassionate and understanding society.

This campaign is more than just a class project, it’s personal to all of us.

As students at the University of North Texas, we’ve all felt how real the pressures of college life can be, managing school, sports, work, and everything in between. Mental health affects more people than we often realize, and sometimes, it takes a personal experience to truly understand how deep that struggle can go.

For me (Tyrane), last year was one of the hardest years I’ve faced. While I was playing at the University of North Carolina, my season didn’t go the way I had hoped. I dealt with injuries that kept me off the field, and it felt like everything I had worked for was slipping away. The mental toll was heavy. I started to lose motivation, struggled with confidence, and felt isolated even when I was surrounded by people. It was the first time I really understood what it meant to struggle with mental health. What made the biggest difference for me was finally opening up and learning that I wasn’t alone and that there were people and resources out there who actually cared. That’s why this campaign means so much to our team. We’re supporting Mental Health America because they’re doing the work to help people who feel like they have no one to turn to.

Your Support Makes a Difference

Every dollar you contribute to this GoFundMe campaign will directly support MHA's critical initiatives. Your generosity will help:

No donation is too small. Think about the impact your contribution could have: it could help someone access life-saving information, empower an individual to seek help without shame, or contribute to a systemic change that benefits us all.

Join Me in Making a Difference

I believe in a future where mental health is openly discussed, readily accessible, and fully supported. By donating to Mental Health America, you're not just giving money; you're investing in hope, healing, and a healthier society for everyone. Please consider making a donation today. And if you're unable to contribute financially, please share this campaign with your friends, family, and social networks. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of millions. To find out more information please consider visiting Mental Health Americas webpage at https://www.mhanational.org.

Thank you for your compassion and support.