Themarshalleffect

For the majority of my life, particularly as a teen and young adult, I have struggled with my mental health. My own mental health journey is what drove me to become a psychotherapist so that I would be able to help others in the way I received help growing up. I was lucky enough to be born into a family that had the financial means to support me in my mental health journey.

The reality is that mental healthcare is expensive and not accessible to many of those who need it, especially teens and young adults who are struggling now more than ever post-pandemic. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults, ages 10-34 (CDC, 2022). Young people account for 15% of total suicides, while about 25.5% of teens and young adults report serious thoughts of suicide. Between 2019 and 2020, there was a 30.7% increase in emergency room visits for mental health reasons for children ages 12-17 (CDC, 2020).

During my work as a therapist, I learned about an organization called the Marshall Effect that works to provide free or highly-affordable therapy to teens and young adults who are at risk for suicide. The Marshall Effect was created when the Marshall family suffered an unspeakable tragedy in 2018; their son Ryan took his own life at the age of 22 due to struggles with his mental health. Ryan was known by his family and friends for the love and kindness that he continually showed to those he touched throughout his time on earth. The Marshall Effect was created in Ryan's memory to help other teens and young adults who are struggling gain access to mental health care. The Marshall Effect is the only organization in Colorado that can provide free therapy to clients for an entire year.

As someone who has struggled with my mental health, I have found relief through consistent therapy and riding my bike. I began racing in October 2021 and this August, I will be competing in my longest race yet. I will be racing in SBT GRVL, a gravel bike race that is a total of 143-miles and 10,464 vertical feet. Last year, I completed the 100-mile race at SBT GRVL. This year, I am excited to be participating in this race once again and also to be combining my passion for mental healthcare and biking.

Please consider donating to this amazing organization, anything that you contribute will help someone receive mental healthcare that could be life-saving.

If you are curious about learning more about the Marshall Effect or SBT GRVL, please follow the links below:

https://themarshalleffect.org/

https://www.sbtgrvl.com/

Thank you!