Michigan nonprofit aims to bring awareness to mental health issues in kids

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – There was a celebration in Meridian Township for a critical trigger Thursday.

There was music, mountain climbing, animals and extra, however there was an important message behind the enjoyable.

Ali Fleetwood at all times beloved Eli’s wild facet. Any time she spent along with her huge brother was journey time.

“He needs individuals to be a daredevil and he needs individuals to exit and go fishing,” Ali mentioned. “He put a snapping turtle in his bathtub and had it for 2 weeks.”

However behind that zest for journey, Eli was hurting.

“Sadly we misplaced Eli to suicide in June and determined to do one thing in his honor,” mentioned Zach Goldstein.

However his legacy doesn’t finish there. It’s solely getting began.

“The panorama of psychological well being proper now, I believe persons are sort of prepared to start out speaking about it,” Goldstein mentioned. “I believe it’s an enormous want and I believe there’s numerous youngsters and youngsters struggling on the market with psychological well being.”

In July, Eli’s Venture was created. A nonprofit devoted in his honor that’s bringing consciousness to psychological well being points in youngsters.

“If we will perform a little half in enhancing the panorama of psychological well being providers for teenagers, then we need to be a part of it,” Goldstein mentioned.

A giant focus of the muse is speaking about and advertising the brand new 988 Suicide and Disaster Lifeline to teenagers and their households.

“We’re printing it on all of our materials,” Goldstein mentioned. “We’ve in all probability handed it out to in all probability a thousand youngsters and households.”

The occasion Thursday night time was about bringing individuals collectively to speak about it and to recollect a life so filled with journey.

“I do know Eli, if he have been right here at this time he would love this,” Ali mentioned. “Particularly with all of the alligators.”

Extra data on Eli’s Venture might be discovered on its official web site or its official Fb web page right here.

Subscribe to our Information 10 publication and obtain the newest native information and climate straight to your electronic mail each morning.

Copyright 2022 WILX. All rights reserved.