The Garden Spot girls' volleyball teams held a Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Night at the girls' match on Sept. 12. The special observance was chosen by head coach Meg Gehr. September is Suicide Prevention Month, and May is designated Mental Health Awareness Month.

A moment of silence was held before the varsity match to recognize anyone impacted by suicide, and players wore turquoise and purple ribbons and mental health T-shirts.

The teams raised money for mental health and suicide awareness by selling T-shirts and handing out M&Ms - meant to indicate that "Mental health Matters" - and suicide awareness buttons for a donation during the game. More than $170 was raised and will be donated to the Jason Foundation.

The Jason Foundation is dedicated to the prevention of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs. The organization also offers a Coaches Assistance Program (CAP), which supplies resources to coaches and other athletic department personnel to help them recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide in athletes.

ELANCO School District seeks to support student-athletes by partnering with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) to equip athletes with more than just sports skills. In addition to holding weekly meetings before school for athletes, FCA trains character coaches who are available to join a sport's coaching staff to focus on an athlete's whole person.

Jen Leaman is the volleyball team's character coach. She helps the girls navigate the mental and emotional aspects of being balanced and successful student-athletes. Each week, Leaman hosts circle time, providing a short lesson related to a challenge the team is facing.

On Sept. 12, the Spartans had a successful night against Manheim Central's Barons. The junior varsity team swept the Barons in two sets, and the varsity team took the match from Manheim Central in four sets.

Anyone who is having a mental health crisis or who knows someone who is experiencing one can connect with a trained crisis counselor by calling or texting 988 or by visiting http://www.988lifeline.org.