Social4Good Supports Our Minds Matter During Mental Health Awareness Month
By Sarah Shamlal
Social4Good (S4G) is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization that brings together engaged women who want to meet new people and support the organizations that make our community strong. Each month, our network meets critical needs by pooling our resources to support local philanthropies through monetary, in-kind, or volunteer activities.
Our Minds Matter (OMM), formerly the Josh Anderson Foundation, was established in 2012 in Vienna, VA with the vision to end teen suicide. OMM is an innovative and grassroots effort that engages teens directly in taking action to promote mental wellness and prevent teen suicide.
OMM clubs in 23 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high schools and four middle schools are led by students and overseen by staff sponsors at each school site. OMM provides activities and workshops which teach adolescents involved in the program how to cope with distress, where to seek out appropriate mental health resources, while providing opportunities for meaningful connection among students, all of which are evidence-based strategies for suicide prevention.
S4G partnered with OMM in May with the goal to collect $2500 to sponsor an OMM Club at a high school in need. We also provided volunteers to help with set up, registration, and clean up at a Move for Mental Health Fun Run at Mason District Park in Annandale on May 1, 2022. This event was a joint effort between OMM and FCPS.
On May 16, 2022, S4G members gathered at the home of member, Marcy Rehberger to learn more about OMM from Lauren Anderson, Executive Director, and find out what each of us can do to support our own mental health and self-care.
“I truly believe that the 97 OMM clubs in 97 school communities
were what made the difference for so many students who might
have otherwise fallen apart. Their consistent club meetings became
became the glue that held them together – because their safe place
became a necessary thing that tethered them to their school and
community.” Lauren Anderson, Executive Director, OMM
Here is what one student had to say about their OMM experience:
“Our Minds Matter has shown me that am not alone in managing my
mental health and that I have a support network to lean on if I ever
need help. I have become more educated surrounding topics of
wellness, and I have found a community of teens who are passionate
about bringing awareness to mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic
has shown us the harsh reality of mental health concerns within the
adolescent population and OMM actively strives to make sure that teens
know there is support. The founding vision of OMM is to create the day
when no teen dies by suicide, and I truly believe that their work is going to accomplish this.” Ava Belmont, Mount Vernon High School Class of ’22, President of the OMM Teem Advisory Council
To learn more and support the valuable services of OMM, please use this link or visit
For more information on Social4Good, please reach out to info@social4goodevents.com. To donate to S4G and support local nonprofits, please use this link or visit https://www.grapevine.org/donate/circle/Bo0hmp7.
