Centennial State News

Robbie's Hope and student ambassadors at Lakewood High are lending a hand to support others going through mental health struggles.

Robbie Eckert, a 15-year-old Lakewood High School (LHS) student, committed suicide in 2018. Following his death, his parents, Kari and Jason Eckert established the non-profit organization Robbie's Hope. Everyone who knew Robbie Eckert considered him a friend. Nobody knew about the sorrow he was carrying within. Oftentimes, teens find it challenging to discuss taboo topics like mental health and suicide. Robbie's Hope aims to change that.

"The fact that he was silently struggling, and no one knew and then one day he was just gone," Marin McKinney, a senior at Lakewood High, told 9News. "There's probably a lot of teens out there that relate."

The foundation began with student ambassadors at Lakewood High School and has grown to include volunteers at various schools around the United States. Their primary mission is to give young mental health care and to reduce suicide rates by half by 2028. 

“I joined Robbie’s Hope because I had a personal connection to Robbie," McKinney said. “Once I saw my brother starting to get involved, I was kind of influenced to be a part of it and get involved as well."

Today, Robbie's Hope offer peer support and are a continual resource for students who are dealing with mental health issues. According to the group's website, the foundation's ambassadors comprise of "passionate teens committed to ending the epidemic of teen suicide in our country".

Every day, they work on the frontlines of various communities, looking for motivated teens with a vibrant social media presence and the desire to make a difference.

Parents may use the guide created by Robbie's Hope's teen staff to initiate conversations with their children about mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and suicide. You can download the handbook for free on their website.