When students feel empowered to speak up, entire school communities change.
During the 2024-25 school year, Resilient Lehigh Valley assisted 11 middle and high schools in strengthening their school-based mental health programs through Aevidum grants. The grants, funded by Lehigh County and ranging from $1,000 to $1,200, enabled schools to develop their school-based mental health programs. The goal of the Aveidum program is to empower students to break the stigma around depression, suicide, anxiety and other mental health issues teens face.
The word ‘Aevidum,’ meaning “I’ve got your back,” was first coined by students in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, after the loss of a classmate to suicide. What began as one school’s call to action has since grown into a national movement to create school cultures grounded in care, connection and advocacy. Through Resilient LV’s support, that movement is taking root across the Lehigh Valley.
Each participating school used its Aevidum grant to bring mental health awareness to life in creative, student-centered ways. From new projects to community events, these initiatives reflect the compassion, leadership and creativity of Lehigh Valley youth.
- Students at Northwestern Lehigh High School organized events to raise awareness about mental health and foster a more supportive school culture. These activities helped foster open conversations about emotional well-being and the importance of checking in on one another.
- With their grant, Executive Education Academy Charter School launched a student-produced podcast focused on mental health topics and hosted several awareness events. The podcast provided students with a platform to discuss issues such as stress, self-care and resilience in their own words.
- William Allen High School’s Aevidum club brought creativity and connection together through a Mirror Messages locker campaign, encouraging students to post uplifting messages throughout the school. The team also hosted fundraisers, community outreach events and a school-wide pizza party to celebrate and build camaraderie.
- Emmaus High School focused on visibility and unity by designing custom Aevidum T-shirts for students and organizing awareness events that reinforced the message that no one faces their struggles alone.
- Eyer Middle School’s Aevidum club used its funding for T-shirts, promotional materials, outreach activities and community-building events, including a pizza party celebrating their shared commitment to breaking the stigma around teen mental health.
By investing in youth-driven mental health initiatives, Resilient LV and its county partners are creating safe spaces where students can learn to talk about emotions, recognize signs of distress and support one another through life’s challenges.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 school year, Resilient LV is excited to support 10 schools through Aevidum grants. The next round of grant recipients will carry forward the momentum created by the students, teachers and administrators who have embraced the power of peer-to-peer support, trauma-informed care and mental wellness initiatives.
Recipients of the 2025-26 Aevidum grants are:
- East Penn School District will use the grant to organize events, create promotional materials to increase awareness about mental health issues and purchase T-shirts.
- Diocese of Allentown will focus on raising awareness through events, promotional materials and T-shirts.
- Whitehall-Coplay School District plans to use the grant for outreach and event-based activities designed to increase awareness and engage students in meaningful conversations about mental health.
- Northwestern Lehigh School District will host events, conduct outreach efforts and produce promotional materials to spread awareness about mental health.
- In addition to creating promotional materials, Allentown School District will organize outreach programs and events to engage students, as well as host a pizza party and purchase T-shirts to further promote mental health awareness.
- In addition to events, promotional materials and T-shirts, East Penn School District will use the funds to organize a pizza party for students.
- The grant will fund T-shirts for students and staff, as well as events and outreach programs for Executive Education Academy Charter School. The school will also host a pizza party to foster student engagement while raising awareness about mental health and well-being.
- The Catasauqua Area School District will focus on outreach and event planning to foster a more supportive environment for discussing mental health. T-shirts will be purchased to promote mental health awareness and unify the students in their efforts.
- Parkland School District plans to use the funds for T-shirts, events, outreach programs and promotional materials to further raise awareness about mental health.
Through Lehigh County and Resilient LV’s Aveidum grant support, 86% of high school students report that their understanding of mental illness as an illness like any other, like diabetes or heart disease, has increased.
Follow Resilient LV on social media to see stories of impact from the grants throughout the school year.
