Hope Means Nevada (HMN) – the community-based non-profit focused on supporting youth mental health, eliminating youth suicide in the state and empowering Nevada’s youth to live hopeful lives – announces the return of “Hope in Action,” an annual community volunteer action and mental wellness event. Taking place at the Valerie Pida Plaza on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus, this year’s event promises a plethora of volunteer activities. In addition, attendees will be invited to a wellness walk around the UNLV campus to elevate the conversation around mental and physical health through movement and connection.
The event recognizes the fact that doing good for others is an effective way to boost mood and improve overall mental wellness. As the only non-profit in Nevada dedicated solely to the intervention and prevention of teen suicide by leveraging the power of communication and peer-to-peer connection, HMN invites teens as well as their friends and families to join in this group volunteer event benefiting an array of community charitable organizations. In addition to painting Hope Rocks with uplifting messages of hope to distribute throughout the community, participants will perform service projects for local nonprofits. Attendees can gather to make food kits for low income members of the community and build hygiene kits for those experiencing homelessness.
Volunteer Activation Stations will feature hands-on service projects presented by organizations including Operation Homefront, Shine a Light Foundation, Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, Project Dot, Green Our Planet, Uplifting Deliveries and Toys4Dogs.
A variety of nonprofit resource tables will also be on hand, offering information about mental health and community services. Participating organizations include Act4Kids, A+J Patient Advocacy, Youth MOVE NEVADA, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Nevada, BeHERE NV, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Defensive Line.
To further encourage mental and emotional well-being, the event will showcase entertainment and wellness activities such as art therapy with Champagne Roca, a sound bath with Renisha O’Donnell, yoga with Dani Kilpatrick, Lauren Salgado’s positive affirmations, Danielle McCafferty’s Positivity Portal, a performance by the Mojave Dance Team and a SoulNotes musical performance.
WHEN:
Saturday, Nov. 8
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE:
Valerie Pida Plaza
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154
COST:
“Hope in Action” is free to attend.
Sponsorship packages are also available. For more information on sponsoring this event, contact Janna Velasco at janna@hopemeansnevada.org.
INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE:
Media are invited to interview mental health professionals and subject matter experts from Hope Means Nevada and other local organizations to learn more about this effort as well as other resources that are being made available, so they can be shared with audiences to influence positive action and strengthen communities. To schedule a phone, Zoom or on-air interview, please contact Vanessa Thill at vanessa@thevoxagency.com.
ABOUT HOPE MEANS NEVADA
Hope Means Nevada’s (HMN) mission is to eliminate teen suicide and empower Nevada’s youth to live hopeful lives. As one of the most trusted and visible mental health resources in the state, HMN inspires a culture of empathy and advocacy around mental health. While raising awareness around Nevada’s high rates of mental health challenges, the organization strives to amplify hope and connect youth with desperately needed resources. Through collaborative, compassionate, inclusive and impactful efforts, the community-based initiative envisions a suicide-free Nevada. For more information about Hope Means Nevada, go to www.hopemeansnevada.org and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and X. The new National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is now three-digit dialing code 988. Those experiencing a mental health emergency can also text “Home” to 741741 to reach the National Crisis Text Line.
