Inspired by his own experiences with mental health, autistic Atlanta teenager Shyam Contractor is hosting a charity basketball tournament to raise money for CHRIS 180 through his nonprofit, Happy Kids Tournaments.
Shyam, 14, wants to help other Atlanta teenagers get mental health care after suffering from depression.
“Everyone deserves the kind of care that I got,” he told Rough Draft. “…People view mental health [struggles] as a person on the edge of collapse, but that’s nowhere near true.”
According to Autistica, nearly eight in 10 autistic people experience a mental health challenge in their lifetimes, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or psychosis. Shyam says this is influenced by the stigma surrounding autism.
Sixteen teams of three will raise awareness and funds to support mental health care by playing basketball on Saturday, June 14. This is the second year Happy Kids Tournaments has hosted the event. Last year, they raised over $6,000 for CHRIS 180. This year, they’ve already raised over $10,000.
The players will include friends and camp mates of Shyam’s, staff from sponsoring organizations, and members of Hoop Atlanta. Both players and spectators will enjoy swag bags, a live DJ, and lemonade for purchase from Shyam’s 10-year-old brother (the sales of which also benefit CHRIS 180). The winning team will receive a $1,000 prize.
CHRIS 180 helps trauma-impacted children, adults, and families with mental health services, foster care and adoptions, and homelessness prevention. Shyam and his mom, Dhruti, said that they chose CHRIS 180 because of the 40 years of experience they have providing comprehensive care to children and families.
“They do these wraparound services, and they’re trauma-related,” Dhruti said. “They don’t just do mental health, but they take care of foster kids, and they get them housing and help kids all the way.”
The charity basketball tournament will take place on June 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Central Park, likely in the gym due to rain. Learn more at happykidstournaments.org.
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