In March 2020, I will be trekking 100k (~62 miles) in five
days through the Ecuadorean Andes with 99 of my colleagues to raise money for mental health. We were each able to select a non-profit organization to fundraise for, and I wanted to raise money for an organization that supports mental health for young people. I have selected the JED Foundation as my organization, with a goal of raising $1,000.

Mission

Today, an estimated one in four young people experience a mental illness, with issues like anxiety and depression impeding the academic and personal success of many. Unfortunately, the majority of those struggling do not receive the help they need.

The JED Foundation is a nonprofit that protects emotional
health and prevents suicide for America's teens and young adults. The organization partners with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention programs to safeguard individual and community health. The JED Foundation educates and equips students, families, and communities to know when and how to support others who are in distress or struggling with a mental health issue.

Impact

290+ colleges representing more than 3 million students are
JED Campuses: schools that are committed to long-term systems change by prioritizing and improving student mental health on campuses, expanding their counseling services, prioritizing more urgent and timely care to support their students, and restricting access to potentially lethal means on campuses.

1.5 million teens and their families are using JED’s Set to Go high school program to prepare emotionally for the transition to college and adult life.

Recognition

The JED Foundation and its programs have been widely
recognized by third-party organizations for their impact. Additionally, the organization has a four star rating (the highest possible) from Charity Navigator with a score of 97/100).