Henry is our first recipient of a faith based grant.

He will attend a 5 day faith based camp this summer where he hopes to grow closer to God and the people about him.

We have partnered with Iesha Tayler and her non profit : I am 4 thirteens. We are sponsored the 2022 all girls gala for girls from the urban core. Talk 2 Me along with Bravo provided and served a 3 course meal. Marie lead a breakout session on confidence building and self esteem for the 7-12 year olds. .

A friend came to Talk 2 Me looking for direction in life. Through a coaching grant and small business grant our friend discovered her passion for animals -especially pups. Now she runs her own successful and thriving business caring for dogs and almost any other animal. We hope this may inspire you to get the help you need and start your dream business.

We are proud of the KC Fusion drill team. Talk 2 Me has been able to hire the team for our 5K race. We worked to secure a place for the kids to consistently practice and increase funding.

Talk 2 Me has been able to provide counseling grants to area teens and young people in need of immediate mental health interventions. We are blessed to know these people are thriving and we will continue to support this essential effort.

Talk- 2me has provided a grant for Natalie to attend Boot camp classes with her friend. Natalie has struggled with anxiety and going to these classes with a friend has been a great source of stress relief. We’re happy to give her this grant. We wish her the best and are to support her mental and physical health.

GO NATALIE!!

By: Jordan Betts Posted at 9:35 AM, Nov 28, 2021 and last updated 9:35 AM, Nov 28, 2021 KANSAS CITY, Mo.

'Movement is the Medicine' 5K honors fallen soldier, aims to reduce the stigma on mental health 'Movement is the Medicine' 5K honors fallen Army soldier Sgt. Scott Caldwell — A couple of hundred people came together on Sunday for mental health awareness with a 5K in honor of a local solider. The "Movement is the Medicine" walk/run, put on by Talk 2 Me, is in its third year of the event. The group believes that the prescription to having a better mental health outlook is physical activity, coping skills, seeking help and more. Recent Stories from kshb.com Top Videos WATCH MORE Kansas City‑area historian condemns Russia'scomparison of Ukraine to Nazi Germany Kansas City-area historian condemns Russia's comparison of Ukraine to Nazi Germany Organizers want to help reduce the stigma surrounding the topic with this race, and get people talking about their mental health. At the event, E-7 First Class Sgt. Scott Caldwell was honored. He died in 2011 to suicide. He did two tours in Iraq and one in Haiti. Caldwell's sister, Hollie Still, said her brother was never the same when he got back from the war and had post traumatic stress disorder “He was quieter, he had lost his sense of adventure," Still said. "He had a lot of anxiety, he couldn’t sleep. That was one of the biggest things. He struggled so much with being able to sleep." His family said due to the things he saw overseas, he felt he couldn't go on anymore. Still said it's truly an honor her brother's memory still lives on and hopes his struggles sparks a conversation about mental health awareness. “There are so many people that are struggling and need help, and if I can help one person today, that would really honor my brother," Still said.

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. — Shut downs, isolation and virtual schooling have caused mental health issues to skyrocket during the pandemic.

While most charity runs have gone virtual, the Talk 2 Me 5K in Prairie Village held an in-person event.

The whole point of the Talk 2 Me campaign is for people suffering with mental illness to get together and have difficult, judgement-free conversations. Many of the runners were teenagers and young adults.

Jacob Metzner said his peers are really struggling right now.

“Not ever having the opportunity to see people and catch up with friends, managing school from home and never talking to the teachers…It’s really stressful,” Metzner said.

Two years ago, Jacob’s mom started the program Talk 2 Me. It’s designed to help young people connect, heal, and thrive. And this event is giving people suffering from mental health disorders some new coping skills.

“This is all prevention right now, going outside, going for a run, being with other people even while socially distanced. These are all preventative as are connecting to your community and volunteering,” said Elise DiCarlo, the executive director of Talk 2 Me.

The CDC reports that a study conducted during the pandemic shows an increase in people are suffering from mental health issues. 40% of respondents said that they have struggled with at least one mental health issue, 30% say they’ve had anxiety and depression and 10% of respondents say they’ve had serious thoughts of suicide.

“Just talk to one person, and it will cut your problems in half. One safe person, and keep doing that,” DiCarlo said.

“I have a support group of friends who I will go and tell that kind of stuff to with no judgment. I would really suggest that you find one or two close friends to confide in about what you’re going through,” Jacob Metzner added.

If you don’t have a friend to talk with, contact the suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-8255, or find additional resources here.