Suicide is the third leading cause of death among the ages of 15 to 24, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Robbie’s Hope started in Colorado when Robbie Eckert died at fifteen, and his parents created Robbie’s Hope to spread mental health awareness and help suffering teenagers. Robbie’s Hope recognizes mental health as a national issue, hoping to reduce the suicide rates in half by 2028.
In 2021, Robbie’s Hope expanded from Colorado to Westfield, Indiana, through a club created at Westfield High School. Vice President Izzy McCulloch joined Robbie’s Hope Club in her freshman year after attending one of their Christmas parties. She noticed how the executive members had a close bond and admired how they dealt with the serious conversations around mental health.
“I knew that would be somewhere I wanted to be, especially with how passionate I was with mental health,” McCulloch said. “Knowing there was a club that I could put that passion into made me realize I wanted to be all in, and it is by far my favorite commitment.”
Through her experience with Robbie’s Hope, McCulloch has learned how to handle a variety of situations regarding mental health. She said she has created an environment in her own home to talk freely about mental health with her parents and has learned to help her friends when they are dealing with difficult situations. She said one of the primary goals of their club, which meets once a month, is to teach students how to start a conversation about mental health and teach them what warning signs of negative mental health look like.
One of McCulloch’s primary roles as one of the two vice presidents of the club is helping organize their annual Robbie’s Hope gala, which is free to attend and open to the public. This year’s gala will be held on May 10 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the IMMI Conference Center at 18880 N. East St. in Westfield, according to the club’s brochure. While the monthly meetings are focused on educating students, she said the gala is a way to reach parents. Throughout the night, there will be food from a local culinary class, raffle prizes and a live band. Robbie’s parents come to the event each year. This year, Robbie’s mother will host a Q&A segment with a freshman and a senior from Westfield High School who will be asking questions about mental health awareness. The event is meant to spark hope and awareness for mental health and to begin to change the stigma around it.
“Last year we made it a free event because we found that this should be something that anyone can come [to] and we don’t want price to be something that’s holding someone back from coming,” McCulloch said. “I’m not worried about how many people come. I just want to see how many people can change their thoughts on mental health … and one parent in that room to feel more comfortable talking to their child about this important topic.”
McCulloch is preparing to enter her senior year of high school. She hopes the club continues to thrive at Westfield once she graduates and wants to ensure the club can continue to inspire others, keeping the importance of what Robbie’s Hope stands for.
She said one of the most important lessons she has learned while being in Robbie’s Hope is that it is okay to not be okay. She has learned dealing with mental health and starting the difficult conversations are lessons she will carry with her throughout her life. “I’ll always remember it,” McCulloch said. “One of our girls from last year who graduated and founded this at our high school started a mental health club at her college, and I would even want to do that because I’m so passionate about it here.”
