By Kelly Boyer and Ridge Road Alliance Ambassadors
RED BANK – Red Bank Catholic, Red Bank Regional and Rumson-Fair Haven high schools are putting rivalries aside and joining together for the seventh annual Ridge Road Run 5K for Suicide Prevention and Education May 5 at Red Bank Regional High School.
Proceeds from the 5K go to fulfilling the mission of the Ridge Road Alliance to promote mental health, wellness and suicide prevention education within these schools and the greater communities.
Thanks to local generosity, the Ridge Road Alliance Ambassadors have created a number of opportunities and wellness experiences for students, staff and the community, including leadership training through the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide’s (SPTS) Lead U program; youth mental health first aid training for coaches; central nervous system awareness; mindfulness and resilience training for coaches and teams by Flow Leadership Academy; presentations by guest speakers on hope, drunk driving and reaching one’s potential; and creating drop-in centers/meditation rooms.
The group hosted and participated in impactful community events. Speaker Ryan Leaf offered the “Let’s Talk: Gambling, Gaming & Substance Abuse” panel conversation and the group partnered with SPTS and the WEForum Group for the community conversation, “What I Wish I Knew: Empowering Our Youth and Establishing Hope.”
Alliance Ambassadors from all schools could be seen and heard at back-to-school nights, multiple sporting events and at the January panel conversation presenting, spreading awareness and sharing resources with the public.
Supporting the 5K with a family or business sponsorship, as a participant or donor, supports the Ambassador program in each high school and provides resources that meet each school’s needs. Proceeds and tax-deductible donations from the Ridge Road Run 5K go to the nonprofit The Source Foundation at RBR on behalf of RBC, RBR and RFH high schools.
For information about family and business sponsorships, race registration and donation opportunities or to learn more about the event, visit ridgeroadalliance.org or email ridgeroadrun5K@gmail.com.
If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
Kelly Boyer is the Ridge Road Alliance Tri-School coordinator for The Source Foundation.
The article originally appeared in the April 4 – 10, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
