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Helping to increase awareness about mental health struggles of skiers and runners (crowdfunding early June 2024)

5 months ago

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marzNC - DCSki Supporter

5 months ago (edited 5 months ago)

Member since 12/10/2008 🔗

3,310 posts

Drew Petersen is a pro skier from Colorado working hard to raise awareness about serious mental health struggles among people who live an active lifestyle and enjoy being in the mountains, whether skiing or running. He found a way to deal with those struggles better after seeking support from other people. He wants to help take away the stigma of talking about suicidal thoughts. His latest film, Feel It All, is about his journey to find a better way to live as he trained for the Leadville 100 ultramarathon held in August 2022.

Please check out the Kickstarter for Feel It All, which runs through early morning June 7. As with any Kickstarter campaign, if the goal is not reached then no money will be raised. Scroll down on the campaign webpage to see the small rewards offered (sticker, name in credits, greeting cards, cap, insulated cup).

The film premiered last week in Colorado at two free showings, with personal appearances by Petersen. Petersen is from Summit County. He knows that many people struggle with mental health issues even as they are enjoying being outdoors in the Colorado mountains. The goal is to release the film for free on YouTube, as was the case for the earlier film completed in 2022.

Feel It All Kickstarter

A skiing and running film with the mission of shredding the stigma of mental health and suicide

Status as of June 1, 2024, goal is $40,000:

I appreciate that when I checked with Scott, he said posting about this fundraiser was fine.

marzNC - DCSki Supporter

5 months ago (edited 5 months ago)

Member since 12/10/2008 🔗

3,310 posts

It's looking more likely that Drew Petersen's Kickstarter campaign will reach the $40,000 goal in time to be funded. As of noon on June 3, the total pledged is almost $35,000 by 360+ people. There are just over 3 days left to the campaign.

As with all Kickstarters, if the goal is not achieved by the deadline then no money will be collected from people who pledged and the fundraiser will not succeed from a fundraising standpoint. Whether the goal is reached or not, the campaign is helping to spread the word about the mission of the film, Feel It All.

The link below is to a short video that includes an interview with Drew Petersen. The report was done after the premier showing at Summit High School on May 29 and before the second showing on May 31 in Crested Butte. The Colorado TV news reporter has been very supportive of the effort to make it easier for people to openly talk about mental health and suicidal thoughts.

May 30, 2024, CBS Colorado TV (2 min)
Drew Petersen helps bring mountain communities together to talk about mental health

marzNC - DCSki Supporter

5 months ago

Member since 12/10/2008 🔗

3,310 posts

Happy to report that the Kickstarter campaign for Feel It All reached the goal of $40,000. :-)

While the money is important, it's also significant that over 400 people became an active participant after learning about the film and Drew Petersen's mission. The buzz from a successful online fundraising campaign can have lasting impact.

Kickstarter campaign status as of 8am ET on June 5, 2024:

JimK - DCSki Columnist

5 months ago (edited 5 months ago)

Member since 01/14/2004 🔗

2,994 posts

That 19 minute film of him was intense. Also had some beautiful skiing footage. Mental health is something many of us take for granted, but for others it's a huge deal. Wish Drew the best. Happy for him that talking about and bringing his situation out in the open is giving him peace and hope.