Vertical Horizons
Vertical Horizons
Our Vision
Vertical Horizons seeks to improve the emotional wellbeing of local adolescents through sport, community, nature and mindfulness.
Vertical Horizons empowers adolescents through the act of community and rock climbing. We connect teens with the activities that instill feelings of confidence, determination, grit, awe, and presence. Additionally, we integrate mindfulness and meditation practices into our program to help adolescents gain a greater understanding of themselves and their thoughts. We use competent, trained peer-mentors to help guide through climbing and other activities. Through working with the mentors and other kids, each individual will form an appreciation for climbing, community, and themselves . The act of nature- influenced exercise mixed with the practice of mindfulness generate an effective and innovative way to improve emotional health.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
The Facts
Forty percent of the 60 million people suffering from mental illness go without treatment (NAMI, 2017). In 2019, more than 1 in 3 high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness that prevented them from participating in their regular activities, a 40% increase since 2009 , and approximately 1 in 6 students reported making a suicide plan in the past year, a 44% increase since 2009. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults, ages 10-34 (CDC, 2022).
In Marin County, among 11th graders, 36% have reported feeling chronically sad or hopeless for two weeks or more in the past twelve months and 14% have seriously considered suicide, according to the 2017-2018 California Healthy Kids Survey. Currently, these numbers have skyrocketed as the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide (WHO, 2022). Individuals struggling with mental health is at an all time high and it is imperative that more attention and resources are directed towards addressing and treating them.
