Feb 10, 2023: 'It's OK to not be OK.' Darien community raises mental health awareness through series of events

Feb 10, 2023, 8:09pmUpdated on Feb 10, 2023
By: News 12 Staff

Parents and students came together in Darien Friday to break the stigma about mental health through a series of events.

Both junior varsity and varsity boys basketball teams played Friday, but the night was really about the group students and parents have created called Wave Strong.

"Wave strong is an organization that helps break down the stigmas of mental health. We've had tragedy in our town of Darien and we're just trying to get teens and everyone around to know it's OK to not be OK," said Paul Bremer, a senior at Darien High School.

The group is centered around talking about mental health. Last year, two students took their own lives and, in an effort to honor them — the community created Wave Strong to start and continue the conversation about mental health.

"They will never be forgotten in my book. Two good kids and we should remember them forever - remember their birthdays, remember everything they did. These were two good kids with a lot of friends," said Darien student Oliver Swift.

This is just one of the fundraisers they've held within the last year. Through other events they've raised $12,000 with all proceeds going toward American Foundation for Suicide Prevention of Connecticut.