ROSWELL, Ga. — More than 100 North Fulton students gathered at Riverside Park Nov. 29 to raise mental health awareness with a fun run 5K hosted by the Cambridge High School girls lacrosse program.
The program’s second annual Run for the Mind 5K was hosted in partnership with Morgan’s Message, a national advocacy nonprofit that seeks to end the stigma of mental health in student athletes through support and community.
Photos: Students promote mental health with annual Run for the Mind 5K
The group was founded in 2020 by the parents and teammates of Morgan Rodgers, a Duke University lacrosse player who took her own life after a years-long mental health struggle.
To tackle mental health challenges among young people, the Cambridge girls lacrosse program hosted a virtual 5K from Nov. 26 through Dec. 2, with a portion of the proceeds donated to Morgan’s Message.
In 2022, the 5K raised more than $13,000 and drew more than 200 participants to the race. The 2023 fundraiser will continue through the upcoming spring lacrosse season.
The virtual 5K culminated with the 4:30 p.m. fun run at Riverside Park Nov. 29.
Cambridge senior Annie Ritter, a member on the girls varsity lacrosse team for four years, also participated in 2022. She said the team walked the course last year, but this time, participants ran.
“It was just so fun walking last year because we were just walking the whole time, just talking and having fun conversations,” Ritter said. “We would pass by other teams and all wave to each other. It was just a really, really bonding experience, I think, overall, and I’m glad we’re doing it again this year.”
Cambridge Girls Varsity Lacrosse head coach Pam Masinko welcomed runners from the school’s boys lacrosse; swim and dive; track and field; cross country; and girls basketball teams in the minutes before kickoff.
On Nov. 30, she said students from Roswell High School and players from Power Finesse Lacrosse also participated.
“It doesn’t matter what sport we play — male, female, where we are,” Masinko said. “Mental health impacts us all. And I want to get the message out as best I can, through just saying, ‘It’s okay to not always be okay.’”
A 30-second video will be featured on the new scoreboard at all home Cambridge High School sports games to promote mental health awareness and Morgan’s Message.
Sponsors of the 2023 race included The Summit Counseling Center, JUNA Salon, Jamison Private Wealth Management, Angie Browning Photography, Briggs Vision Group Optique, Bluegrass salon, Southern Zone Lacrosse, Power Finesse Lacrosse and Atlanta Fine Homes.