COLUMBUS, Neb. — The mental health stigma is a problem Jason Prorok wants more people to be aware of.

“We need to talk about it,” Prorok said. “We need to educate more about it and I want to educate myself more. I’d like to educate others.”

Prorok, president of the Lean on Foundation, said the organization hosts one fundraiser a year to raise funds for scholarships and training for mental health.

To do so, Prorok began the foundation at the end of 2020 after he experienced a death by suicide in his family.

“I lost my son, Cooper, in 2020 to suicide and I don’t want another parent to go through what I went through,” Prorok said. “We’re trying to spread awareness."

For the past two years, Prorok and the foundation’s team has held a co-ed volleyball tournament at Westbrook Lanes’ sand volleyball area called “Spiking the Stigma.” This year, a corn hole tournament was added called “Tossing for Tomorrow.”

“All the money we raise goes back into the community through scholarships, training for mental health, and whatever we can do to 'spike out' the stigma," Prorok said.

Prorok believes the ease of access to technology leads to people distancing themselves from the world and not want to talk about their problems.

He said men especially need to reach out if they need help and need to heal themselves when they need.

“You kind of put your own feelings and your own emotions back on the shelf and you just worry about your family and other people," Prorok said. "You need to have self healing too, you really do.”

Owner of Westbrook Lanes John Eckholt said he is happy to host the event at the bowling alley and enjoyed seeing the community come out in support of suicide prevention.

Prorok said Columbus will host an Out of Darkness Walk on Oct. 7 at Pawnee Park and encouraged everyone to attend the event.