Healing Hearts & Minds
Join Prescription for the Arts and Northwest Colorado Health’s Youth Resiliency Program for the 50 day challenge to raise $25,000 to support youth in Routt County experiencing a mental health crisis.
Youth across Northwest Colorado are facing a mental health crisis unlike anything we’ve seen before. Rates of depression, anxiety, and isolation among young people in our region are higher than state, national, and even global averages. In response to this urgent need, Prescription for the Arts, a program of Undiscovered Earth, is teaming up with Northwest Colorado Health’s Youth Resiliency Program to launch an ambitious and inspiring fundraiser: the 50-Day Challenge.
The Challenge is simple in concept, but powerful in impact: participants commit to either hiking up to 500 miles or biking up to 1,000 miles in just 50 days. Why these numbers? They reflect the endurance, dedication, and resilience it takes not only to complete the Challenge but also to navigate the difficult terrain of mental health struggles. Through every mile traveled, participants will raise awareness — and crucial funds — to support programs that help local youth build confidence, find connection, and develop the tools to face life’s challenges through arts experiences.
How it works: As a participant, you will invite individuals and or businesses to sponsor you by the mile you walk or bike. Sponsors can set the price. For example: $1, 50 cents, or 10 cents per mile. They will pay based on the number of miles you travel in 50 days. Each participant receives a hat and bracelet, making walkers and bikers easily identifiable and sparking conversation about mental health. You then track your miles and log them on your fundraising page site, where you have your own shareable page for your 50-Day-Challenge Campaign.
The goal of the Challenge is to raise $25,000 to directly benefit Prescription for the Arts and the Youth Resiliency Program. Both organizations are committed to reaching young people where they are: in classrooms, after-school programs, and community spaces, offering creative outlets, mental health support, and opportunities for healing through art, nature, and movement.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
Statistics show that suicide was the second leading cause of death in 2020 among individuals ages 10-14 and 25-34, and the third leading cause of death for individuals ages 15-24, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Healing Hearts & Minds
Imagine
a world where, instead of just prescribing pills, doctors could prescribe a ticket to a concert, a dance class, or a painting session to treat mental health challenges like isolation, depression, and anxiety. Undiscovered Earth’s new program, Prescription for the Arts, is pioneering this innovative approach right here in Colorado, launching the state’s first program of its kind in partnership with Pediatrics of Steamboat Springs.
This program empowers doctors to prescribe meaningful arts experiences to youth under 18, providing a measurable and scalable alternative to traditional treatments. Research has shown that engaging in the arts can significantly improve overall health and well-being by boosting serotonin and dopamine levels—chemicals in the brain that promote happiness and reduce stress. Arts activities also equip young people with lifelong coping tools, helping them manage emotions and build resilience.
With roots in the UK, where it’s already transforming the lives of over 3,000,000 people, this initiative is backed by studies from leading institutions like Harvard and Stanford. We’re excited to bring this proven, holistic approach to mental health to our community, making a lasting impact on the well-being of our youngest generations.
