Breaking the Silence: Ever Forward Club Leads Mental Health Activations Across 3 SF Schools
“There is more to you than anyone can see by looking at you.” – Ashanti Branch, Founder of Ever Forward Club
For the 2nd year in a row, this May, Ever Forward Club proudly participated in Mental Health Action Day for the second year in a row, joining a growing global movement to prioritize mental wellness through community connection and real, courageous conversations. As a member of the Mental Health Action Network, we were honored to stand alongside changemakers worldwide in making mental health not just a moment, but a meaningful action.
Through a series of in-school activations across three San Francisco schools—June Jordan, Balboa High School, and Burton High School—we engaged students in powerful, heart-opening conversations and self-reflection.
The Mental Health Action Day, organized and led by school social worker Justin Martinez, provided a safe and welcoming environment for students to explore leadership skills and address mental health. Through the Ever Forward Club's Young Men's Health Group, participants learned valuable social-emotional tools and gained the confidence to engage their school population.
The event created a platform for students to share often unspoken personal and campus mental health issues, demonstrating what leadership looks like by supporting their peers' well-being. By showcasing mental wellness strategies, the young men developed their advocacy skills and contributed to a more supportive and understanding school community.
✨ 15 participants / young men who are part of EFC’s Young Men’s Health Groups activated over 120 fellow students to take part in mask-making, group dialogue, and emotional wellness practices during these events.
What Happened at Each School?
🌟 Alta Vista Elementary: Our youngest participants, a group of boys, created emotional masks—sharing what they let others see and what they often keep hidden. It was a big moment for little voices learning to name their feelings.
🌟 Balboa High School: Students engaged in circle-based conversations, peeling back layers of pressure and expectation to reveal authentic emotions and shared experiences.
🌟 Burton High School: The activation focused on connection and vulnerability. Students created masks, reflected, and courageously voiced what lies beneath the surface.
Each of these activations reminded us that students—when given space—are deeply ready to talk about what matters most. Every voice mattered. Every feeling was welcome. And every student left knowing: you are not alone.
The Power of the #MillionMaskMovement
At the center of each activation was our signature experience—the #MillionMaskMovement. This global campaign invites youth and adults to reflect on the emotional masks they wear. With just six words and a drawing, the activity unlocks deep stories, honest emotions, and the recognition that we are all more alike than we are different.
Through this experience, students not only take off the emotional masks they carry—but they also realize they’re not carrying them alone.
Want to Join the Movement?
We believe every school, every educator, and every community can take action to support youth mental wellness. Here's how you can be part of this movement:
✨ Visit https://millionmask.org to make your own mask and explore our free resources
✨ Plan a Mental Health Action Day event at your school or workplace
✨ Share your mask and reflections on social media using #MillionMaskMovement and #MentalHealthAction
✨ Let us know how we can support you in creating brave spaces for your community
Together, we can shift the narrative around youth mental health—from silence and stigma to connection, healing, and action.
Stay Connected with Ever Forward Club
🌍 Make your own mask at millionmask.org
🌱 Join our "Advocates for Young Men" virtual community at https://bit.ly/AYMcommunity
📬 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and inspiration at https://everforwardclub.org/contact
Thank you for standing with us. Let’s continue to lead with empathy, build spaces of belonging, and take action for mental health—today and every day.
With heart,
The Ever Forward Club Team