Thoughtful Giveaways for Mental Health Awareness: The Shaylon Shaffer 3rd Annual Memorial Benefit

Today our friends at Lynch Oil hosted their 3^rd Annual Memorial Benefit for Shaylon Shaffer, fundraising and bringing awareness to the Mini-Cassia Suicide, Prevent & Support Corporation and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. We were proud to have two of our team members, Matt Peterson and Gordon Klepec, representing SOLV in this meaningful event to honor Shaylon’s memory. It also brought to light how challenging it can be finding the right giveaways for an event supporting mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

What to give away at a Mental Health Awareness event

When seeking out swag for events that address sensitive topics like mental health and suicide prevention, it’s crucial to choose items that are both thoughtful and supportive. Take these considerations into account:

1. Purposeful and Useful Items: Choose items that promote well-being, such as health-related gear, journals for mindfulness, and custom water bottles to encourage hydration and self-care.
2. Meaningful Messaging: Include messages of hope and support, reminding recipients that they are not alone and that help is available. This helps with raising awareness and normalizing conversations about mental health.
3. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on providing high-quality items that attendees will find genuinely useful and comforting, rather than a large quantity of generic items. This ensures that your contributions are meaningful and appreciated.
4. Community and Connection: Remember that your purpose at the event is to foster a sense of community and connection among attendees, reinforcing the importance of supporting one another. According to our account manager Matt Peterson, there wasn't a dry eye on the course by the end of the day. That deep feeling of genuine connection is the most important outcome of the event.

Mental health is a complex and vital topic that we all need to take seriously. By participating in events like this, we aim to bring awareness to the importance of mental health and encourage open conversations with our friends and families about taking care of our minds as much as our bodies.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline at 208-398-4357 or visit here.