Last week in Southeast Kansas, something remarkable happened. Zero Reasons Why came to present to Allen County schools, and in just a few days, students opened doors that may have been closed for far too long. They spoke honestly about their struggles, asked brave questions, and discovered they were not alone.
This was more than an event. It was a community effort, and its impact will be felt for years to come.
A Safe Space for Real Conversations
Across multiple districts, workshops created space for students to talk openly about mental health, bullying, stress, and loneliness. These weren’t lectures. They were conversations that invited honesty and gave students permission to dream of change.
The results were immediate. A student sent an email mid-day asking to get more involved. Another reached out to her school counselor to disclose daily struggles with suicidal thoughts, a first step toward support that took courage and trust. These stories prove that real breakthroughs happen when we make room for young voices.
Momentum in Our Schools
Schools are already responding. One district has already committed to moving forward with ongoing student-led programming. Faculty meetings and advisory sessions are carrying these conversations beyond the workshops.
And sometimes, the signs of impact were as simple as a student proudly wearing a Zero Reasons Why t-shirt in the hallway, a quiet but powerful statement that hope belongs here.
Partnership in Action
What made this possible was the strength of many hands working together.
Superintendents and school leaders opened their doors. Community groups like 13RTFSEK, the USD 257 Alumni Endowment Association, Iola Rotary, and Sharkey’s Bar & Grill stepped forward with support. The Rural Health Initiative partnered alongside us, as well as Sharla Miller and countless teachers and school counselors.
SEKMHC was honored to participate, with Crisis staff, School-Based Therapists, Case Managers, the Grant Team, and our Prevention & Promotion Team all contributing. To help spread awareness, we provided backpacks filled with educational resources, suicide prevention materials, and t-shirts. More importantly, our staff stood alongside students, listening to them and creating safe spaces where hope could grow.
More Than a Week
Zero Reasons Why was not a one-time campaign. It was the beginning of something deeper. Students are already asking for the next steps, mental health clubs, regular check-ins, and more ways to connect quietly and safely with trustworthy adults. These ideas are shaping the future of what support in our schools can look like.
Because Our Students Matter
The heart of this campaign is simple: no young person should struggle alone.
Last week, we saw it in every raised hand, quiet journal entry, brave conversation, and act of kindness between peers. Together, schools, families, community organizations, and mental health professionals proved that Southeast Kansas is a place where students can be heard and supported.
The work is just beginning. But what we witnessed last week reminds us of what is possible when a community comes together: change, hope, and a culture where every student knows their life matters.