Upper School Cross-Country Team Raises Funds for Mental Health Awareness Month

6/4/2021

On May 25, the NCCS Upper School Cross Country team participated in the 2021 Run For It 5k, an event that coincided with Mental Health Awareness Month in raising money for To Write Love on Her Arms, a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.

With a mission to encourage, inform, inspire, and also invest directly into treatment and recovery, TWLOHA was a great fit for this inspiring group of Upper School runners. They adopted the mantra, "Nobody Runs Alone," and finished the hilly two-lap course around campus (see map) on one of the hottest days of the spring.

"I remain so impressed by this group," said head coach Will McDonough. "They care deeply for one another and supported everyone throughout the run. The goal of this event was not to set a personal best as our course is grassy and includes over 300 feet of elevation gain. Instead, everyone acknowledged that the physical suffering would be real...ultimately, that connected us to the cause and the idea that 'nobody runs alone.'"

Thanks to many community donors, the team raised $1,970, enough to help two people receive 12-weeks of care through a digital mental health program. They have access to a licensed therapist, psychiatrist, anonymous peer support, biofeedback device, mindfulness practices, and habit-changing activities.

If you would like to donate, there is still time. The link to the NCCS fundraising page can be found here.

The run represented the final event in a spring series created by coaches Mr. McDonough and Mrs. Angelis called the Daffodil Dash. Other events included the Puddles and Peepers Team Marathon Challenge, the Picnic Predictor, The Tulip Two-Mile Relay, The Sunrise 1609 (mile) and the Sunset 1609 (to show improvement), as well as the Hatchling Hill climb during which the entire team climbed over a vertical mile in one hour.

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New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771

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