Students are often the first to notice when a peer may be struggling – when a friend is quiet during lunch, doesn’t show up to practice, or suddenly becomes uninterested in school. Creating spaces where young people can talk openly about mental health, support one another and advocate for change is a critical way for schools to address these challenges and help students know they’re not alone.
Resilient Lehigh Valley is supporting these student-centered initiatives by empowering young people to shape conversations around mental health and create stronger connections within their school communities.
During the 2025-26 school year, Resilient Lehigh Valley partnered with Lehigh County Mental Health to provide 10 Aevidum grants to schools across the Lehigh Valley. The grants supported six existing Aevidum clubs and the creation of four new clubs, providing students with resources to develop awareness initiatives, strengthen peer connections and build more resilient schools.
The impact of these grants reached more than 1,500 students and helped support more than 15 mental health events and activities throughout the Lehigh Valley. Students worked alongside faculty to allocate funding across a variety of efforts, including mental health education, outreach, awareness materials, and in-person events.
The word “Aevidum,” meaning “I’ve got your back,” was first created by a group of high schoolers in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, following the loss of a classmate to suicide. What began as a student-led effort to support their classmates has grown into a national movement focused on fostering school communities rooted in awareness, care and connection.
Through Aevidum, students are empowered to take an active role in shaping the mental health conversations within their schools. Each club uses its grant funding differently based on the needs of its students and community; in the 2025-26 school year, grant funds supported:
- Mental health awareness materials and merchandise (33%)
- Student-led events and activities (33%)
- Outreach efforts (17%)
- Education initiatives (17%)
Across the Lehigh Valley, students turned these funds into meaningful action. Parkland High School hosted an Aevidum Talk that brought together more than 80 students for conversations around mental health. Executive Education Academy Charter School created a student-produced podcast focused on mental health topics and common challenges teens face. Northwestern Lehigh Middle School established a new Aevidum club, giving a new group of students the opportunity to advocate for mental health awareness.
Other recipient schools used funding to strengthen existing clubs, increase membership, provide mental health awareness resources, and create opportunities for students to build stronger relationships with their peers.
At its core, Aevidum is about creating a culture where students know they are supported and empowered to support others. By investing in youth-led initiatives, Resilient Lehigh Valley and Lehigh County Mental Health are helping schools create environments where conversations about mental health are encouraged, connections are strengthened, and students feel less alone.
Follow Resilient Lehigh Valley on social media to learn more about youth-led mental health initiatives and the impact of Aevidum clubs throughout the region.
