MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (CBS2) — Idaho is ranked twelfth in the nation for suicides, and teens especially are struggling with mental health. Mountain Home Mayor, Rich Sykes invited Marc Mero, the founder of Champion of Choices, to speak at the high school and junior high school this week to motivate students and give them tools to face life challenges.

Mayor Sykes said the process of getting a speaker stemmed from the eighty suicide attempts made in Mountain Home over the last 3 years. He said, “Thanksgiving is for you know, happy times but you have a lot of Airmen that are away from home for the first time that don’t have that core family love. And so I wanted to make sure that we got this presentation before Thanksgiving and Christmas for those struggling during the holidays.”

He said bringing Mero was, “Just so if you’re feeling lost or lonely… you can listen to him and believe in yourself and know that there are people that are out there that care for you.”

Mero knows that there are kids all over the world struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts saying, “Our program Champion of Choice is making a difference by connecting with students with relevant stories that change their lives.”.

Mero kept students at Mountain Home Junior High engaged with exciting stories of fame from his WWE days. He spoke on the role that addiction and depression played in his life saying, “Please, please, please talk to someone. Don’t make the same mistake I made and almost destroy your life by holding something inside.”

Mero said talking to others is so important, “We all need to make a difference we got to get students to to open up and talk about what they’re going through and not feel like they’re alone and that nobody cares.”.

After seventeen years of speaking and sharing his message around the globe, Mero said, “There is no greater joy than helping another person in life… nothing compares to making a difference in someone’s life.”.

Mayor Sykes says, “This isn’t just a Mountain Home problem, this is a whole world problem.”. He also spoke about a goal he has to put on a big event for the Treasure Valley and having this conversation with more kids.

Mero has one more presentation planned for the 16th at 6:30 PM in the Mountain Home Jr High School Gymnasium.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 9-8-8 for help 24-7.