Last month, I had the immense honor of being named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Health. I stood in a room in New York City filled with scientists, public health leaders, advocates, and innovators doing incredible work across the globe, and I felt both deeply humbled and profoundly grateful.
I feel humbled because I am acutely aware that this moment isn’t about me. This moment and this recognition belongs to us; to a movement that has been quietly and powerfully reshaping how we think about mental health, prevention, and wellbeing.
It belongs to the Peer Leaders in schools across the country who courageously use their voice to share stories of strength and create communities of connection. It belongs to the Adult Advisors who show up day after day, building cultures of strength and belonging. It belongs to the Coaches and Trainers who scale and spread this impact to thousands of schools and communities across the US and Canada. It belongs to my colleagues who are the heartbeat of Sources of Strength and bring this work to life day in and day out. It belongs to the countless researchers, funders, and partners who have believed in this model and helped it grow. And it belongs to our founder, Mark LoMurray, whose vision to move upstream by empowering the stories of hope, help, and strength of young people continues to infuse our work everyday.
This recognition is a reflection of the power and promise of upstream, strength-based approaches to mental health. It affirms what so many of us have known for years: that when we center connection, hope, and resilience, we don’t just respond to crises, we prevent them. We don’t just treat illness, we build health.
Sources of Strength is not just a program, it is a community and a counter-cultural movement. One that I am proud to be a part of with each of you.
As we look ahead, I feel tremendous hope about what is possible. We are seeing real impact in schools, in systems, in research, and in communities from Alaska to Florida and everywhere in between. I am excited about what is next as we launch new initiatives like our expanded elementary curriculum and new workplace wellness offerings and as we develop fresh resources to support mental, emotional, and relational health that serves diverse communities. We are seeing cultures shift and lives change.
To everyone who has been part of this journey, thank you. This honor belongs to you.
Let’s keep going. There is so much more good to give, more healing to offer, and more strength and hope still to be shared.
With deep gratitude,
Scott