Malibu, Calif. – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Malibu (BGCM) is working to prevent youth suicide through their youth-led mental health awareness initiative, “1 in 5.”
With research showing that 20% of teenagers (1 in 5) have seriously considered suicide and 9% have actually attempted it, members of BGCM are determined to combat this pressing issue through their thought-provoking new clothing line.
“1 in 5” Campaign
Diego Alvarez, who has been with BGCM for 10 years, and two friends from the club launched the “1 in 5” clothing line to raise awareness and eradicate the taboo surrounding youth suicide and mental health. Alvarez and Violet Way, BGCM’s education director and alumna of the club, spoke exclusively to the Blade about their recent efforts.
The “1 in 5” clothing line is a series of crewneck sweaters featuring thought-provoking messages such as “Tomorrow Needs You.”
“We want to spread awareness and end the taboo surrounding the subject of suicide,” Alvarez told The Blade. “We wanted this to be something for everyone, to create something that would be timeless and get the message across,” Alvarez said.
The unique clothing line was launched at BGCM’s Third Space storefronts in conjunction with National Mental Health Awareness Month last month on May 14. Proceeds from the apparel sales will be donated to the BGCM Wellness Center, helping the center continue to provide free mental health counseling and social support services.
Alvarez emphasized the importance of the campaign’s message, saying, “We urge people to reach out.”
Irina C., a BGCM member and mental health advocate, emphasized the importance of discussing suicide openly: “After all we’ve been through, I refuse to make suicide a taboo any more. The more it’s hidden, the greater the stigma around it. I want to help people feel comfortable talking about it and to ask for help without fear of judgement, and ‘1 in 5’ does just that.”
Boys & Girls Club of Malibu
Serving as a vital resource for youth, families and seniors, the BGCM Wellness Center provides comprehensive mental health services with a commitment to “eliminate barriers to access,” meaning all students from kindergarten through grade 12 have access to licensed clinical therapists and social workers every day, at no cost to them. The clinical team partners with educators to implement a social-emotional wellness curriculum to help students understand and manage their own mental health and recognize when their peers need support.
“I feel like it’s a really safe place. I can just be myself,” Alvarez said of his long association with BGCM. As a nonprofit, the club offers a variety of services, including a wellness center that is completely free. There is a $90 fee per school year, but waivers are available, making its resources available to anyone, whether they attend Malibu public schools or not.
As the child of immigrant parents, Alvarez acknowledges there’s a gap in understanding about the benefits of mental health wellness, especially when it comes to suicide. “Parents don’t necessarily know how to communicate with their kids and talk about this,” Alvarez says. “I want people to know that even though it’s hard to talk about, it’s possible.”
Wei noted that the club strives to fill this gap by providing services and workshops for parents to help them better understand and support their children’s mental health. He said they also encourage open discussions about mental health issues. “It’s better to have friends who are alive even if they’re angry at you,” he said, emphasizing the importance of supporting friends who may be thinking about suicide and making them feel safe to share their feelings.
BGCM encouraged community members to participate in National Mental Health Awareness Month by purchasing a “1 in 5” crewneck or donating directly to the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Wellness Center.
The Wellness Center is a trauma-informed facility that provides free mental health and wellness services to youth, families, and seniors. Services include mental health counseling, crisis intervention, trauma-informed case management, social-emotional learning, health care support, parenting support groups, student workshops, and more. For more information or to request support services, please visit the BGCM Wellness Center.
For 24 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Malibu has been helping young people achieve great futures as productive, caring and responsible citizens. With four facilities, including a wellness center and three clubhouses, BGCM serves 700 members and 1,700 youth from kindergarten through high school through outreach programs.
The Wellness Center provides free mental health, wellness and social support services to all Malibu public schools and is available throughout the community. Currently, the club serves more than 200 individuals in over 100 zip codes. BGCM’s programs emphasize academic achievement, good character and citizenship, healthy lifestyles, and social and emotional wellness.
For more information on the “1 in 5” initiative and to purchase apparel online, visit Third Space Malibu’s link here.
