Mental Health Initiative

This year, Team 2202 and Team 4418 have partnered for a Mental Health Initiative. The mission of FIRST is to “provide life-changing robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world.” An essential part of resilience is having good mental health. We’re focusing on making sure our teammates, mentors and friends have the education and resources to sustain mental well being.

 

Our Mission

  • Provide resources to help create an inclusive environment for students/mentors within FRC
  • Facilitate an open community in FIRST, where students/mentors can connect and share
  • Develop outreach initiatives in Wisconsin and Colorado to bring awareness to mental health within robotics

 

You are not alone. Call 988 if you need immediate assistance.

Tim’s Story

Tim Oakes was a founding member of our team. He was an outgoing, friendly, and hardworking student in high school. He played football and had a pickup truck that he loved to fix up. To anyone, he seemed like a normal teenage boy. However, there were some signs of a deep-rooted depression.

After high school, Tim went to UW-Stout majoring in IT management. He was extremely talented in this field but disliked his other mandatory courses. A year later, he dropped out and returned to Brookfield. Retrospectively, Tim showed more signs of depression through his exit from college. He later got a job through one of BEAST’s sponsors as an IT networking tech and was extremely talented there. He was then promoted to Software Engineer. Once this happened, he encountered a few problems in his life. These problems spiraled and ultimately became too much for him.

Tim died by suicide. His loss showed the team how important it was to focus on mental health. He also taught us that you are never alone. 

 
“Tim has rooted me to this team. It was a gift that he gave to me”

– Richard Oakes (Tim’s Father and 2202 Lead Mentor)

Our IMPACTS

A BEAST student took the initiative to get our team involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Walk. Over five years, 129 friends and family walked and raised over $7,000 to increase awareness for suicide prevention. 

 

Managing Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural response to stress, causing feelings of worry and nervousness. It can lead to physical symptoms like a racing heart and tense muscles, along with racing thoughts and difficulty concentrating. Anxiety disorders, like generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder, can significantly impact daily life. Causes include genetics, life experiences, and stressors. Learn more about managing anxiety from these trusted resources:

 

Managing Stress

Stress is the body’s reaction to feeling overwhelmed or threatened. It’s like your body’s alarm system kicking in when you face tough situations. A little stress can sometimes be helpful, but too much for too long can cause problems like feeling anxious, tired, or sick. Managing stress means finding ways to relax and cope with challenges. Learn more about managing stress from these trusted resources:

 

Managing Depression

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. It can lead to physical symptoms such as changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Depression can affect various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and daily functioning. Factors like genetics, life events, and brain chemistry contribute to its development. Learn more about managing stress from these trusted resources:

 

Team 2202 at the Out of the Darkness Walk.

 

 

How to Talk about Mental Health
– Dimple Patel, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

 

 

Source: Facts About Teen Depression (Infographic)

Source: National Alliance on Mental Health. Learn more at https://www.nami.org/.