We are Ahmyah, Grace, Ariana, Brookelyn, Natalie, Kaden, Easton, Nicholas and Chloe, and we are the Team 8 Green Warriors. We are rising 7th and 8th graders and many of us have done iEngage before! We chose the issue of mental illness because as students we think it is important for our peers to learn about mental illnesses that they might be affected by and to get the help that they need.

Mental illness in adolescents is a major problem because many children don't have the resources they need to get diagnosed and get help. This might be because their family is not able to afford necessary services, because they are not aware that they might have a mental illness, or they do not know how to get the help that they need.

A disorder that affects someone's thinking, feeling, and daily life, usually in a negative way.

Examples include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Eating Disorder
• Addiction
• ADHD
• Bipolar Disorder
• PTSD

Mental illness is an important issue in our community because many young people do not have the knowledge or resources to get diagnosed and get help. Organizations that try to provide affordable mental health resources also need more funding in order to help more people.

We want to create The Mental Health Fun Run/Walk in order to raise awareness about mental health issues and at the same time raise funds to help adolescents get diagnosed and get treatment at the Klaras Center for Families in Waco.

Services Provided Include:

Affordable access to...

• Screening, Information, and Referrals
• Crisis Intervention
• Skills Training
• Counseling (Individual and Family)
• Trauma Interventions
• Parent Education and Support Group
• Psychiatric Services
• Medication Training and Support

Email: ron.kimbell@hotrmhmr.org
Website: http://www.hotrmhmr.org/
Location: 1105 Jefferson Ave, Waco, TX 76701
Phone: 1-866-752-3451
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hotrmhmr/

Purpose:

To spread awareness in our community about adolescent mental illness and the resources at the Klaras Center that are available.

The Fun Run would include activities such as:

• Public Speakers
  
• A 5K run
• Carnival Games
• Sponsor Booths & Food trucks

• 1 out of 4 American families have a mental illness
  
• 60% of teens in schools may have depression
• Suicide was the second leading cause of death among adolescents aged 12–17 years in 2010.
  
• The Stanford School of Medicine estimates that 10 percent of Americans will experience clinical depression at some point in their lives.

• Come to The Mental Health Fun Run this fall
• Donate to the Klaras Center for Families
• Fundraise
• Raise awareness about the Klaras Center
• Pass out information packets about mental health & available resources
• Make a support group for mental health at your school
• Be friends with someone who has a mental illness
• Talk to your representative about starting a statewide mental health awareness campaign

• "You can advocate in many ways." -Brookelyn
  
• "how to advocate" - Ariana
• "How to help a community issue" -Ahmyah
• "I learned what advocacy means" -Grace
• "Having diabetes increases your risk of developing mental illness" -Kaden
• "One in four people have mental illness" -Easton
• "To be a good citizen is to advocate in your community" -Natalie
• "How to be a great citizen."-Chloe
• "One out of four adults have a mental illness"-Nicholas