MAVS MATTER

By: Cobi Johnson and Jacqueline Cutri

Mavs Matter is an event hosted by Mauldin High School that focuses on bringing attention to and normalizing mental health among the school community. During Mavs Matter every class is transformed into a safe space to talk about mental health and disorders. 

The next Mavs Matter is Tomorrow, September 9th and everyone is asked to wear lime green because it  represents awareness of childhood mental illness, so wear lime green to support Mavs Matter.  

Why is Mavs Matter important?

Mavs Matter is important because it promotes mental health awareness and helps destigmatize mental illness. According to the CDC, “The third leading cause of death for adolecents is suicide.”

In the United States, 2,216 people aged 15-24 die from suicide every year. It should also be brought to attention that the suicide rates are significantly higher for men than for women by around 15%. This goes to show that male mental health awareness needs to be taken just as seriously as women’s.

A survey by BMC Psychiatry showed that 27 percent of adolescents had thoughts about self harm and 15 percent had engaged in at least one act of self harm. 70 percent of teens who self-harm have attempted suicide.

Mental illness needs to be normalized and destigmatized so people feel safer to ask for help and we can stop having thousands of unneeded deaths every year. 

As Mauldin High comes up to its fifth Mavs Matter,they have some fun ideas planned. For one, The lime run is today at 5:00 before varsity's football game. During this event, anyone can come out and run in celebration of mental health awareness.

There will also be fun, interesting events and different activities you can participate in, like the first 100 people to go to the Nami organization’s stand at the varsity game get a surprise and the class poster contest for Mavs Matter where the best class poster gets donuts. Mav’s Matter is really helpful to many students and staff who have struggled with mental health issues. It is important to show them that someone genuinely cares. 

One way you can help spread awareness is just by talking to someone. It’s always okay to reach out to other students and your friends just to see how they are. And if you may be one of these individuals who may struggle with mental health, counselors and teachers are also available for help.