NATIONAL CHARITY BE STRONG IS DETERMINED TO STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH WITH LAUNCH OF NEVER ALONE CAMPAIGN CHAMPIONED BY STUDENTS AND CORPORATE PARTNERS

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As a country, we struggle to tackle challenges facing young people and the statistics around bullying, hopelessness, suicide, mental health, and wellbeing of our youth are staggering. Heartbreakingly, one out of every five students across the US are bullied relentlessly. Forty two percent of students persistently feel sad and hopeless, with 29% of students struggling with mental illness (less than 50% get help). The data is enough to demand action. 2025 marks 10 years of impact at Be Strong, and the organization is just getting started.

Naomi, a Be Strong Student Representative alumna boldly shares how the program has benefitted her own life. She said, "Finding Be Strong was like finding a missing puzzle piece to my story! I was super depressed, unmotivated and honestly really lost when I stumbled upon Be Strong and I'm so glad that I did. Through Be Strong, I found the empowerment, hope and help that I needed to truly 'be strong'. Not only for myself but for all of those that battle with difficulties around me." Naomi concluded, "My hope is that everyone can find their strength in Be Strong just like little me did!"

Students, families, schools and communities never pay for help from Be Strong; the efforts are community funded. Over the last 10 years, the organization and volunteers have helped over 170,967 people in crisis with immediate and ongoing help, recruited, trained and supported 5,847 Be Strong Student Representatives and peer groups on school campuses, provided 1,491 schools/districts with the Be Strong Resilience Curriculum (featuring Jay Shetty), and educated over 5.2MM students in resilience through free community events.

Dr. Pamela Morris-Perez, professor of applied psychology at NYU and Be Strong advisory board member, notes that, "Be Strong's highly innovative peer-to-peer approach builds squarely on the science of adolescent development. By putting resources directly into the hands of youth, Be Strong is preventing problems from escalating, ensuring that young people are accessing the help they need to thrive."

Complex and complicated issues don't have simple solutions. As Be Strong focuses on simplifying messaging, the goal is to successfully mobilize people to get help and help others faster. This was the driving goal for the launch of the Never Alone Campaign, ensuring that young people know they are never alone and help is here.

JM Family Enterprises, BetterHelp, Florida Power & Light Company, and Logitech G are early-stage sponsors to the Never Alone Campaign.

"Giving back is an integral part of who we are at JM Family Enterprises, especially empowering children and families which is one of our core areas of giving," said Lisa Davis, JM Family's Director of Community Impact. "It's an honor to partner with Be Strong to play a small part in helping strengthen mental, emotional, and relational health and ensuring young people know they are never alone."

Be Strong has a national footprint and focuses on rallying local corporate giants, small businesses, foundations, and donors to champion the change in their own communities and beyond.

"At Florida Power & Light Company, we believe in powering strong communities, making Florida an even better place to live, work and raise a family," said Juliet Roulhac, FPL Director of External Affairs for the Broward and Southwest regions and NextEra Energy Inc. Director of Corporate Philanthropy. "That includes supporting organizations like Be Strong and their Never Alone Campaign which emphasizes the importance of community, support and standing together during challenging times. We want young people to feel empowered, supported and heard."

The campaign involves a short-form interview series in which leaders lend their voices to spark impact and provide help to others hosted by Donovan Taylor Hall and guests Carolynn Shada, Kechi Okwuchi, Dr. Pamela Morris-Perez, Torarie Durden, Jesula Jeannot and others. The Never Alone Series shares real stories of courage, vulnerability and healing. The first installment, "The First to Speak," focuses on the powerful, often emotional moment when someone chooses to speak up for the first time.

Erin Chin, Global Head of Brand Marketing at Logitech G and Be Strong advisory board member shared, "Every young person deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued. The incredible work that Be Strong does, especially through its peer-to-peer model, helps young people build resilience and also creates a true sense of belonging." Chin continued, "The Never Alone campaign provides such a powerful message of connection and hope, and lets people know that no matter what they are going through, there's always someone ready to stand beside them. In a world where many young people are silently struggling, knowing they are never alone can make all the difference."

"I strongly support Be Strong because of its youth-led approach. I believe that people respond better to a message when the source is relatable in some way; this has been my personal experience as a burns survivor that has had the opportunity to mentor fellow burn survivors," Kechi Okwuchi shared. "This ties into why the Be Strong Never Alone campaign resonates with me. One of my life's goals is to help as many burn/trauma survivors as possible feel less isolated in their experiences. I believe the Never Alone campaign seeks to send this same message."

When people choose to speak up about the challenging moments in life, it's vital to get to the right help. Whether about mental health, bullying, self-harm, abuse, trauma, or self-worth, there is a weight of silence and freedom found when breaking it. As part of The Never Alone Campaign, BetterHelp has gifted Be Strong Student Reps and their families in need with free therapy services.

"At BetterHelp, we believe that everyone deserves access to mental health support and to know they're never alone in their struggles," Said Ciara Kelly, BetterHelp's Program Manager of Social Impact. "That's why we're proud to support Be Strong and their Never Alone campaign, meeting young people where they are, with empathy & connection. Through this partnership, our hope is that every young person knows it's okay to ask for help—and that support is always within reach."

"Talk therapy and the proper care plan saved my life," said Ashleigh Cromer, Be Strong's CEO & Chair of the Board. "As Be Strong is hyper focused on strengthening care, partners like BetterHelp are critical in that mission. Having survived the effects of abuse and navigating mental health, Be Strong's mission is personal for me. As we charge towards our goal to help young people who are looking for trusted help, support and healing, I'm deeply grateful for the generosity of all our donors and partners, and we need more at the table." Cromer shares, "our student leaders are the heartbeat of our organization and it's a powerful testimony to them to see that they are not alone and that there is help."

For help anytime, anywhere in the US, download the free and anonymous Be Strong App from the Apple and Google Play stores. To join the movement and aid youth preparing for a strong summer, get involved here: Never Alone Student Fundraiser

ABOUT BE STRONG
Be Strong Be Strong is a leading national charity on mission to save and improve the lives of our youth using a peer-to-peer approach. From small towns to big cities, thousands of student volunteers are implementing Be Strong's proven impact model in half the counties across the US.

Through educational events, on-campus student led initiatives, evidence-based curriculum and digital intervention tools such as emergency checklists and the Be Strong App, we are strengthening mental, emotional, and relational health, building resilience, helping the most vulnerable with basic needs, and preventing bullying – at no cost to students & families.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Be Strong