The Forest Hills School District Invites the Community to a Presentation About Mental Wellness by the Hilinski’s Hope Foundation

Communication from the District:

As part of ongoing efforts at Forest Hills School District to support the mental health and wellness of students, the district is excited to invite the community  to an upcoming presentation by the Hilinski’s Hope Foundation. As an educational institution, FHSD understands the importance of supporting student wellness and meeting the social, behavioral and emotional needs of children in the school community.

This community presentation, which will be hosted by Anderson High School and the Forest Hills Foundation for Education in March, is an opportunity for students, families and community members to learn about important topics related to mental health and suicide prevention.

The community event will be held on Monday, March 4 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Titus Auditorium at Anderson High School. In order to ensure there is enough space to accommodate all who wish to attend, FHSD is encouraging interested individuals to fill out this RSVP form.

The Hilinski’s Hope Foundation (H3H) was founded in 2018 by Mark and Kym Hilinski to honor the life of their son Tyler. Tyler was a talented, kind-hearted and dedicated young man who excelled at sports, eventually playing football at Washington State University. At the age of 21, Tyler died by suicide.

Mr. and Mrs. Hilinski share Tyler’s story as a way to promote awareness and education of mental health and wellness for students across the country. The Foundation is focused on educating, advocating and eliminating the stigma associated with mental illness, while funding programs that provide students with the tools and resources that support their mental health and wellness. You can learn more about H3H by visiting its website here.

This district-wide event is made possible through the generous support and sponsorship of the Forest Hills Foundation for Education. To learn more about the Foundation’s work and how to support their efforts, please visit their website at www.fhfe.org.

While there is a connection to athletics, all students and families should be able to relate to and benefit from the information and topics covered by the Hilinskis. Parents, students, and members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend to hear from Mr. and Mrs. Hilinski about the importance of continuous, positive messaging around mental health and the steps everyone can take to help kids be safe.

Both students and family members are welcome to attend, but please consider the topic of conversation when evaluating if it is appropriate for younger children.

​Additional Mental Wellness Resources:

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Ohioans who are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, and their family members, can call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to reach a trained specialist who can offer help and support. The easy-to-remember, 3-digit number provides 24/7, free and confidential support to Ohioans in a behavioral health crisis. 988 is a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health related distress.

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Teens are taking a stand against the stigma surrounding mental wellness. See how they are ending the stigma by telling their #NoFilter Stories: https://endthestigma.org/nofilter-stories/

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Research shows that knowing or having contact with someone with mental illness is one of the best ways to reduce stigma. Individuals speaking out and sharing their stories can have a positive impact. When we know someone with mental illness, it becomes less scary and more real and relatable.

Learn more about the stigma surrounding mental health and how to reduce it from The American Psychiatric Association: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination

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1N5 is focused on making a difference in how we talk about mental health. Our youth are in crisis, with 20% of youth ages 13-18 living with a mental health condition. Join us to START the conversation, together we can make a positive difference and STOP the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Let’s talk! Visit the 1N5 website for more information.

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NAMI of Southwest Ohio is an organization of families, friends and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness. Together, we advocate for better lives for those individuals who have a mental illness. Learn more on their website.

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MindPeace works together with community partners to continue the development and implementation of a seamless system of mental health support for children and adolescents, with a focus on school-based, stakeholder-selected partnerships. Learn more on the MindPeace website.