Mental Health Minute: Softball in Loving Memory

BURLEY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Sports and mental health have been intersecting more in recent years. A husband and wife team in Burley organized a softball tournament to help those affected by suicide.

This past weekend, Burley hosted its first ever “Suicide Awareness Softball Tournament in Loving Memory.”

People who lost a loved one to suicide played in their honor and helped raise money for local organizations.

“Personally, my father took his life in 2006, battling a long life of illness and dealing with a lot of pain. We didn’t know any signs at the time and so this is the best way to make some money and put the money back into the pockets of those doing research and training,” said Walter Johanssen , one of many players this weekend.

Focused on raising awareness, the event could not have happened without support from across the Mini-Cassia Region.

“The community really came together, I think over 180 people signed up, some people couldn’t make it but I think there were close to 170 people, just the players showed up. Then we donated food, the whole community really came together and made the process {planning} a lot easier,” Johanssen added.

Veronica Castillo and her husband, Bryant Freeland, organized the event.

Castillo lost someone very close to her to suicide and talked about how softball helped her and hopes it can help others in a similar way.

“For me, softball became family, it became my goal, it was something that would keep me going and moving forward. People who were once strangers became my family and supported me in the bad times and the good times; it’s something I love to do and I wanted to include everyone,” Castillo said.

All 14 teams of more than 170 players supported a great cause, helping raise awareness and raising more than $3,300 in donations so far.

Organizers will continue to take donations through tomorrow night, and you can send them via the Venmo or Cash App links below.

Copyright 2024 KMVT. All rights reserved.