Ripon eighth graders, from left, Secrett Cumber, Emma Gehrke, Alayah Barwick and Laila Pomplun check out a table manned by Jenna Zick of Miramont Behavioral Health as Jody Richter of Rogers Behavioral Health and Caleb Deering of Willow Creek Behavioral Health talk in the background.
Miya Grunert photo
Ripon High School (RHS) hosted its fifth Mental Health Awareness Night Thursday, Jan. 22 during the Ripon Tiger boys’ and girls’ basketball programs’ games against the rival Berlin Indians.
The event was organized by the Ripon Area School District (RASD) Pupil Services team, which is composed of counselors, psychologists, behavior interventionist, dean of students, social worker, school nurses and school resource officers.
What began as a heartfelt idea from a former basketball coach and teacher, using a game night to raise awareness and collect donations, has grown into something far more intentional and far-reaching. Originally centered on gathering support from local businesses and basketball patrons, the event has evolved into a meaningful community gathering focused on connection, education and action.
Today, Mental Health Awareness Night brings people together to share resources, elevate conversations about mental health, and generate impactful funding that directly supports student access to mental health services and programming across area school districts.
“Having graduated from Berlin High School and now working for the Ripon Area School District, this night means more to me than I can easily put into words. These are two communities I love, coming together not as rivals but as partners, in the name of student mental health, which has been the heart of my work throughout the entirety of my career,” RASD Director of Pupil Services Emmy Jess said. “It’s just so meaningful to see competition give way to connection for a cause that truly matters — raising awareness about the importance of mental health and providing our students, families and community members with information and resources to support mental wellbeing.”
The evening included representatives and resources from more than 20 local mental health providers and youth-serving community organizations, halftime activities for students from both schools, two 50/50 raffles, more than 50 raffle baskets and a mental health-themed gallery walk with artwork created by Murray Park Elementary School students.
At the end of the event, $3,757 were split between the two schools to be earmarked for mental health-related projects or initiatives. This was made possible by the generosity of many local businesses and individuals, including the evening’s presenting sponsor, Farmers & Merchants Bank of Berlin, who ensured both schools would walk away from the event with no less than a $500 foundation to build their work upon.
“Strong mental health matters at every stage of life, but it’s especially critical during adolescence,” Jess said. “Students today are balancing academics, activities, relationships, family expectations, friendship dynamics and future planning, often all at once. That level of pressure can feel overwhelming, particularly as their brains and bodies are still developing. Making sure young people have access to accurate information and supportive resources is absolutely critical in helping them navigate this stage of life in healthy, successful ways.”
Information and advocacy was made available to event-goers from the following community partners: First We Live Foundation, Gabriel’s Wings Foundation, Collaborative Wellness, Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area, Willow Creek Behavioral Health, Miramont Behavioral Health, Rogers Behavioral Health, Shorewood Behavioral Health, Granite Hills Hospital, Community for Hope, ASTOP, Solutions Center, Samaritan Counseling, Empower Counseling, NAMI Oshkosh & Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Fond du Lac counties, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ripon Public Library and Fond du Lac United Way.