LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — To raise awareness of mental health issues exacerbated during the pandemic, a group of teens will drop decorated rocks in dozens of parks throughout Clark County on Aug. 4.
Sisters Caroline, 16, and Lauren, 15, Edgeworth, co-chairs of the Hope Means Nevada Teen Committee, helped organize teens to paint more than 100 river rocks with colorful messages of hope, friendship, love, and acceptance.
In honor of International Friendship Day on Aug. 4, the group will host their Hope Rocks activation, starting at Lorenzi Park from 10:15-10:30 a.m. From there, small groups will visit various parks. Rocks will be handled by a person wearing gloves and a mask.
The teens challenge anyone who encounters the river rock to take a selfie with where it was found, share it on social media using the hashtag #HopeRocks and #ASK5, and tag @HopeMeansNevada on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Then, connect with five family and friends to alleviate anxiety and depression.
In 2019, suicide was the leading cause of death for Nevada youth ages 12−19, according to the Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention.
Nevada has the 11th highest suicide rate in the nation - double the national rate.
