DENVER (KDVR) – Children’s Hospital of Colorado and its participating partners are hosting a free special event on Friday, May 6 to help address mental health issues among Colorado’s youth.

According to the hospital, a record number of patients have sought mental health help. In 2022, they found a 47% increase in the number of patients visiting the emergency room for behavioral health issues in the first three months of the year, compared to the same period in 2021.

The event to be held this Friday will be called: Friday Night Lights: Shining a Light on Mental Health – Benefiting Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Pediatric Mental Health Institute.

The event will take place at Empower Field at Mile High from 6-9 p.m., located at 1701 Bryant Street Denver, CO 80204.

NFL player Ben Garland, a former Denver Bronco, and his Wingman 63 Foundation are hosting the event, which will include a stair climbing event for teens, children and their families.

Those with questions can email them to [email protected]

The goals of the event outlined on their website include raising awareness of mental health, reducing the stigma around seeking help, and providing attendees with practical take-home tools to support their mental health in the future. .