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Join the MHP Challenge To Help Save Lives
Mental Health Partners (MHP) is excited to announce that registration is now open for our annual fundraising event for suicide and overdose prevention! This year, our goal is to raise $50,000.
Since 2018, we have hosted our annual Challenge, successfully raising nearly $200,000 in total. All money raised goes directly to making lifesaving resources available to community members at no cost, including expert-led suicide prevention training and harm reduction resources like NARCAN and fentanyl test strips. For instance, money raised in the 2023 Challenge allowed us to deliver no-cost suicide prevention training to 15 non-profit organizations.
Colorado has one of the nation’s top ten suicide rates, according to the Center for Disease Control. Colorado also saw an almost 70% increase in fatal fentanyl overdoses from 2020 to 2021, with more than 900 deaths total last year, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The funds raised also make it possible for us to train more instructors in evidence-based modalities: Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), and Crisis Prevention.
For this year’s Challenge, we’ve added a fun new addition.
Mesa Trail Ramble and Poker Run
The Mesa Trail Ramble and Poker Run is a 10-mile event for runners and hikers. It will start at the South Mesa Trailhead at 6:00am on September 14th. During the run, participants will collect 5 playing cards along the route along the route, ending at MHP's Ryan Wellness Center in North Boulder (1000 Alpine Avenue).
There will be two winners of this non-competitive event:
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The person who raises the most contributions, and
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The person with the best poker hand.
The finisher with the best poker hand will receive a gift certificate from a local retailer! This is a free, non-competitive, optional activity for participants in the MESA Trail event only; the prize is based on your luck in drawing the winning hand.
Other ways to join the Challenge
In addition to this year's new Ramble, participants can get involved in a number of ways:
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The Skyline Traverse Challenge, continuing for its 7th year, is a strenuous 19+ mile trail for runners to tackle along the five peaks that form Boulder’s iconic background: Bear Peak (8,456 ft), South Boulder Peak (8,543 ft), Green Mountain (8,149 ft), Flagstaff Mountain (7,030 ft), and Mt. Sanitas (6,835 ft). Our Traverse challengers will kick off on Saturday, September 14th.
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The Bike Challenge allows cycling enthusiasts and competitors alike to create their own self-paced adventure. Choose your preferred route, terrain, and distance. Ride solo or have friends and family join you. Raise money for a great cause while you ride. The winner is the individual or team who raises the most by September 30th.
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The Couch Challenge takes place from the comfort of your home. Be a solo sitter or create a team with others and help raise money for suicide and overdose prevention. The winner is the sitter who raises the most by September 30th.
Registration is now open. Choose your event, join a team, or create your own. You can also get involved by supporting another team or volunteering to support the Boulder Skyline Traverse on September 14th. Visit our event website for more details.
The MHP Community Challenge 2024 is supported by several local businesses and organizations – including presenting sponsor KeyBank, major sponsor Boulder Valley Rotary Club, sponsors Centennial Peak Hospital, Brothers Plumbing Heating & Electric, and NoCo Community AdSpace, as well as our partner Atlas Valley Purveyors.