My beaten white and green Nike sneakers floated on the black pavement as I walked to the top of the stairs and stared at the deep green grass below. Various objects, including tires, ropes, a 7 foot tall wooden wall were scattered about the field. Each object was set to manage the pain they were about to create. Pain is what created the inspiration for this event, but the pain felt this day would be different. This day it would be a tangible pain that we may all relate to: physical. To endure stress while working out to everyone’s maximum capabilities allowed us to come together to talk about another type of pain: emotional.
Kacy Pavlik passed away as a result of suicide on August 12, 2009. The pain of losing Kacy was the seed that blossomed into the Fight for Life, a Positive Tracks Challenge. The Challenge provided a safe space for my community to physically understand the battle those suffering with mental illness take on daily. It also made space to keep the conversation going regarding the importance of suicide prevention.
The morning of the Challenge, August 12, 2018, was a dream. Cars came in by the dozens carrying their love and support to the field. My butterflies of anticipation quickly flew away as I saw the faces of athletes, young and old, ready to do whatever was asked. The goal of the event was to raise $1,000.00 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and to promote the importance of young adults being better prepared to help when they notice their peers struggling with mental illness.
We surpassed our goal! Over $8,000 was raised and #mypeersnotice is on its way to being viral. Support of friends, family and Positive Tracks are what made and carried this event to the finish line! Going through this with our community created a gateway to continue the conversation about Kacy and those struggling with thoughts of suicide.
A sincere thank you to all the Fight For Life supporters! Conversation and awareness was the goal from the beginning, and we could not have been happier with the turnout and the continuing conversation that has happened after the event. I hope that #mypeersnotice goes viral and that more communities may be able to make a similar space for this important conversation. To join our campaign, start a #mypeersnotice Positive Tracks Challenge at your school, go here or click here to learn more about Cam and Ava’s Challenge. The world belongs to the next generation, so the time to create change is now!
#mypeersnotice
By Cam Beecy, Positive Tracks Youth Ambassador Board
Cam In 140 Characters Or Less: Be The Man In The Arena; Live In The Moment; If It Ain’t Fun, It Ain’t Worth Doing; No Pain No Gain; It’s Amazing What Happens When You Say YES!