The Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation returned to Lister Park for its fourth annual Rise Up for Ryan 3-on-3 basketball tournament and Suicide Awareness Walk on Saturday, July 29.
The annual event is held each summer in memory of 18-year-old South Side High School graduate Ryan O’Shea, who died by suicide in January 2019. Its goal is to help raise money for the foundation’s continued work to increase mental health awareness in local schools and communities while fostering a dialog about this public health crisis.
“The Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation works hard to bring awareness to mental health issues by creating positive community experiences for young and old to participate, be together, learn and laugh,” John O’Shea, Ryan’s father and the co-founder of the nonprofit organization, said in a message. “Our goal is to end the stigma attached to mental health issues by encouraging discussion and creating a caring community atmosphere to give everyone the ability to ask for help when they need it.”
All of the proceeds raised go to help fund the school district’s Sources of Strength program — a national suicide prevention program that provides insight and inspiration through its proactive approach to addressing mental health concerns, which can in some cases lead to feelings of isolation or suicide.
In memory of Ryan, who loved basketball and was a star player for the Cyclones team, the foundation hosts a 3-on-3 tournament each year, where teams of kids, teens, and adults compete — within their respective age brackets — in head-to-head half-court matches.
“Close to 250 players and hundreds of spectators took part in the tournament,” O’Shea said. “It was a fantastic day that culminated with our suicide awareness walk around the park.”
During the suicide awareness walk, which also takes place in Lister Park, friends and participants painted rocks with motivational and healing messages to help make others know that they are not alone, to remind them that its okay to not be okay, and that its important to seek help from a trusted friend, family member, or advisor when they feel lost.
The Sources of Strength program also provides students with a reprieve from the daily stresses attached to exams, homework, classes, during the academic year, focusing instead on teaching methods to improve social and emotional wellness.
Since it was implemented, the Sources of Strength program has grown exponentially and has spread to school districts all over Nassau County. It is now part of the curriculum in Freeport, Oceanside, East Rockaway, and West Hempstead.
To find out more about the annual event and the efforts of the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation, visit RyanPatrickOsheaFoundation.com.
