In the past five years, Marley Larson (center) has grown her annual horse show to raise funds for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Photo courtesy of Marley Larson.
After losing her older brother to suicide in 2018, Marley Larson organized a suicide prevention horse show to raise awareness for mental health. The inaugural two-day show in 2020 drew overwhelming support and brought in $4,500 in donations. In 2021, it raised more than $6,000.
“I wanted my brother to be remembered for who he was, rather than how he passed away,” says the Knoxville FFA member from Iowa. “My sisters and I started the show when I was 12 because I wanted to combine my passions of mental health and horses.”
Larson’s (left) horse show is designed to spread kindness and fun to everyone involved. Photo courtesy of Marley Larson.
Like many rural communities, Larson’s hometown of 7,000 residents has experienced high suicide rates in the past decade. “You don’t always see the struggles on people’s faces,” she says. “People don’t know where to begin to ask for help.”
The Power of Kindness
Seeing a need for mental health support inspired Larson to create a nonprofit named “Chasing Positivity” as a high school junior. Her sisters serve on its board to expand fundraising and awareness efforts, which include selling and designing T-shirts and hosting Kindness Days at Larson’s school.
“At the elementary level, students wrote heartfelt notes to their teachers,” Larson adds. “When we delivered the handwritten notes to the teachers, seeing their faces light up overwhelmed us with joy, and it was a beautiful reminder of the power of kindness.”
In the last five years, Larson has raised more than $50,000 through combined fundraising for the annual horse show and Chasing Positivity. Funds go directly into the community through scholarships, the Kindness Days at school and inviting guest speakers to talk to students about mental health.
Larson (left) leads Kindness Days at her school to create a positive learning environment for others. Photo courtesy of Marley Larson.
In 2024, Larson’s efforts led her to be selected as the Iowa FFA state winner in the Service Learning Agricultural Proficiency Award category. She advanced to compete at the national level, where she received a bronze award.
“When I started [Chasing Positivity], I didn’t expect it to get this big,” Larson says. “We understand how isolating grief can feel and aim to provide comfort and connection during challenging times. Our mission is about building a community where kindness and support thrive, creating a brighter future for everyone.”
A Safe Space
It’s OK to feel stressed or worried, but remember it’s important to take care of yourself, too. Use these four strategies to help you or a friend open up about what’s going on.
