As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Newtown High School’s lacrosse teams are stepping up to look for an off-the-field win by promoting communication and support among people who may be suffering from mental health problems and raising money for 15 For Life, which has a mission to better equip people of all ages to understand and recognize depression and mental health issues.

The girls’ varsity team will take on Fairfield Ludlowe at noon and the boys will host Norwalk at 7 pm this Saturday, May 13. Both games are at Blue & Gold Stadium and will sandwich junior varsity games. Fundraising efforts will take place throughout the day, which will include Newtown Youth lacrosse participants showcasing their skills on the field between the high school action.

On March 16, 2021, Rob Kavovit took his own life while suffering from silent depression. “The Kavovit Family funneled their grief into opening the dialogue around depression and mental matters. Our mission is to shed the shame around needing help and normalizing the conversation around mental health by creating awareness so that our loss may help others,” according to the 15 For Life website, 15forlife.org. The site details how Rob Kavovit lived with depression in silence and left behind a family he loved.

Rob Kavovit’s brother Jeff and his family are from Newtown and will be on hand to speak at Blue & Gold Stadium as part of the events. Both high school programs put an emphasis on mental health throughout their seasons with designated times for players to talk to each other in an effort to prevent tragedy.

“We really try to keep a focus on it and making sure everyone’s open to having a conversation,” said Tony Fitti, head coach of the NHS boys.

Fitti added that linking the mental health awareness efforts to youth lacrosse is an effort to have this important message filter down to the younger players and community as a whole.

“Spreading the word is huge. We’re one program, one family,” Fitti said.

The girls, like the boys, meet each week to talk and keep dialogue open. Allie Bradley and fellow co-captain Bella Gerace point out that this is an important cause to support.

“It’s really good to know we can fall back on our teammates and our coaches if we really need anything,” player Allie Bradley said.

“I just want to be here for the rest of my teammates if they need anything,” said player Kyle Ruddy, who will represent his team and speak to attendees at Saturday’s nightcap game.

The community is encouraged to attend these games and support the cause.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.