Celebrities gathered at Eastern High School to play basketball for a cause.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Celebrities, basketball fans and supporters filled the Eastern High School gymnasium as the nonprofit organization 24 Reasons held its first inaugural event, “Be The Reason,” a celebrity basketball game to raise funds for youth and athlete suicide prevention and mental health issues.
The nonprofit was founded by professional basketball player and former NCAA Inspiration Award recipient Trey Moses, who created 24 Reasons after learning of the suicide of his college roommate and basketball teammate.
Trey has dedicated the rest of his career to honoring his friend Zach, and even got permission from his family to wear Zach's number 24.
“I've had my own mental health issues myself – depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts – and then I lost a teammate,” Moses said. “To me, this is bigger than me, bigger than Zach. If we can bring attention to this and help one person who came out today, then to me, my job is done and I can impact more than one person.”
Among the big names invited are Louisville native and Los Angeles Lakers player D'Angelo Russell, UFC fighter Terrance McKinney, former WNBA and European professional basketball player Makayla Epps, country artist JD Shelburne, Louisville men's basketball player David Johnson, basketball coach Aaron Nance and professional boxer Timothy “Mayhem” Motten.
“We all face our own challenges and have our own experiences, and what we're trying to do here under Trey's leadership is to empower everyone to tell their own story, to know that it's okay to tell your story, and that it's okay to not be okay,” said Vince Cain, a founding member of 24 Reasons. “We're trying to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health. Mental health is just health.”
The game evoked people like Evan Lyons who could relate to Moses' story of loss.
“I had a brother who died by suicide so I decided to come and support the team,” he said. “I feel like now everyone knows what's going on. It's not a hidden illness anymore.”
Lyons said most people struggling with mental health issues feel like they don't have a support team they can turn to.
“Luckily, I have a good support team I can talk to about this,” he said, pointing to his friends and family.
“Lean on the people you love, lean on the people who love you, and surround yourself with love,” Moses said. “So many of us, when we go through moments like this, we feel like we're not worthy of love, we don't feel loved, we don't have anyone… but there are so many people out there who love us.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, there are crisis hotlines available 24/7, please call 988.
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