The year the pandemic began, there were over 1.3 million attempts at suicide in the United States alone. Of those attempts, 47,511 lives were lost. 47,511 families were stripped from their loved ones. 47,511 people never got to see another day. Rather than sit in this solemn fact, Graden Herrell decided to do his part in advocating for mental health with his clothing brand “areUokay." "I know how hard it can be to ask for help," said Herrell. His initial idea for a clothing brand began in the middle of July. Herrell selected to do a brand centered around clothing, because it is something people would be able to wear. By wearing clothing with the message "areUokay" on it, he hoped that the message would make at least one person's day. Within a month of coming up with the brand idea, Herrell had successfully completed his first drop (July 30th, 2021). Herrell commented on how great the first drop was, and how much he learned from it. He knew that he wanted his brand to contribute to helping other organizations, and channeled the next drop into helping an organization called The JED Foundation. This foundation is a wonderful source for helping people in most any situation. Herrell selected this foundation because of its focus in helping young adults struggling with suicidal thoughts and emotional trauma. In the second drop (September 30th, 2021), Herrell dedicated $5 of every purchase to The JED Foundation, and as of less than a week since the release, $295 has been raised. "I want are U okay to have amazing quality as well as an amazing movement," said Herrell. To support Graden Herrell and his brand, visit the areUokay website. Layla Leigh Wandel
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