Commack 9th Grader Honored By American Foundation For Suicide Prevention

COMMACK, NY — A Commack High School freshman who has raised nearly $13K for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention through hosting a basketball tournament was recognized by the foundation on Wednesday, the school district announced.

Two years ago, Harold Teller wanted to find a way to help those in the community confronting mental health issues, so he started a basketball tournament for friends and classmates.

Teller received a visit at the high school from Ann Morrison-Pacella, the foundation’s executive director for the Long Island Chapter. With his family, Principal Carrie Lipenholtz and other high school administrators on hand, Morrison-Pacella presented Teller with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Community Service Award.

"I really felt that it was important for you to understand how what you did is really making a difference," Morrison-Pacella told him, according to a news release. "I truly believe that your generation is going to change the stigmas with asking for help and for talking about mental health. To have a young person like yourself do something like this to raise awareness is really making a difference."

Teller said it felt "great" to get recognition from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

"I’m happy to be able to do this," Teller told Patch.

Lipenholtz said she and the district are "so incredibly proud" of Teller, praising his efforts as "so meaningful."

Not only does Teller intend to continue the annual 3 vs. 3 basketball tournament held in Holbrook — which annually has attracted 150 participants — he also is planning to host a capture-the-flag event at Short Beach in Nissequogue with Sunday Swim on May 5 to raise additional funds for the foundation.

People can see all of Teller's upcoming events on Instagram at @HoopsForHope15.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention uses the funds in the local community for education and to support those who are struggling or have lost someone.

"I know people who have struggled with mental health, and I wanted to help," Teller said.

Morrison-Pacella said suicide is not a "comfortable" topic to discuss, nor should it be.

"Doing events like you are having and raising awareness and letting people know that it’s OK not to be OK, and that when we talk about our struggles that we can get help, that helps other people understand they are not alone," she said.

Daria Teller and her husband, Rocky, are "really just so excited" to see how an essay their son wrote has "taken on a life of its own."

"The work he is trying to do at such a young age makes us both more proud then words can say," Daria said.