"Why So Sad?" Video
For the last three years we've been fundraising to help drive work in mental health. This year the project is called Why So Sad? because that’s the fundamental question we need to dig into if we are to begin the therapeutic process of observing and understanding our own emotional triggers.
The mission of the project—what we’re doing this year in return for some funds from you—was to ride our bikes until we found the right spot to land a Lance-Mountain-approved sad plant. So far, the project has raised money for the Scottish Association for Mental Health, Grassroots Suicide Prevention and research at Johns Hopkins University. Now—in partnership with REAL Skateboards—we’re going to be supporting the Ben Raemers Foundation which has been set up to raise awareness around the tools and skills of mental health first aid and to destigmatize the subject of mental health and suicide. Our hope is that more of us can open up and find help when we need it.
You can buy a board or tee via your local skate shop or via the Actions REALized website.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please check out these resources:
USA:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273 TALK
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741
Samaritans USA
Trevor Project for LGBTQIA+
UK:
Samaritans
Calmzone
Global list of resources here.
Information about Mental Health First Aid training:
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1/15/2020
Why So Sad? x Actions REALized Premiere Photos
Some of the best people in skating descended on Portland to rally behind Rattray and the fight against mental illness. Check the photos here. -
9/25/2019
Pushing Boarders: Second Annual Academic Skate Conference
The Pushing Boarders conference whose tagline is, “talking skateboarding,” invited some of the brightest academics, activists and pro skaters to Malmö, Sweden to discuss the hard issues on the social side of skating. Ted Schmitz investigates. -
8/23/2019
"Why So Sad?" 2019 Mission for Mental Health
John Rattray is on his 3rd year raising funds for mental health. The hope is that one day we’ll talk about depression and anxiety as easily as we talk about swellbows. Learn all about this year's Why So Sad? mission here. -
1/11/2019
The Good Egg: Mission #2
John Rattray and friends once again raise money for a good cause – this time cycling over Mt. Hood to set the world's record for most eggplants. Tune in tomorrow to watch all the action. -
9/21/2018
Rattray's Good Egg 2018
John Rattray is going to ride his bike 100 miles and land 100 eggplants to set the Guinness World Record to raise money for the Scottish Association for Mental Health.