Pelham Overnight - Year 2!

On Friday, June 13th, Ingalls Field transformed into a vibrant student gathering for Pelham Overnight: Mental Health Never Sleeps—an awareness event designed to remind students that no one should ever have to struggle alone. 

Organized by Pelham Together’s Youth Council and in collaboration with the high school and middle school, the event drew double the attendance from last year and introduced several new features, including live music curated by community members Anna Jenner and Stephen Byfield, a Youth Council leadership hand-off, and a welcoming invitation to middle school students, coordinated by Ms. Jenn Kitay. For the first time, and carrying over from this past spring’s Town Hall, students were also encouraged to invite “trusted adults”—those in their lives they feel safe turning to for support. A handful of these trusted adults joined the event, reinforcing the message that mental health is a community priority.  

The evening kicked off with a youth-led welcome from current Youth Council members, thanking attendees and reminding everyone that Pelham Overnight is about showing up—for yourself and for each other. During this opening moment, the Council also surprised the crowd by announcing the incoming 2025-2026 Youth Council leadership—marking the first official handoff at the event and celebrating continued youth leadership in mental health advocacy and community building. 

Throughout the evening, students and community members visited a variety of stations throughout the field that offered opportunities to create, reflect, and connect: friendship bracelet-making (with messages of affirmation to exchange), lantern decorating (to line the track with light and hope), journaling and coloring (to relax and reflect), mental health resources (with pamphlets and resources for support), calming rock painting (led by the middle schoolers), and the interactive Wellness Wheel. Live music added an uplifting ambience, and attendees left with thoughtfully curated goodie bags—including a custom zine filled with free, confidential, 24/7 mental health resources. 

As the Youth Council shared during the kick-off, “Mental health awareness is so important, and it’s important to know that you are never alone.” Pelham Together thanks every student, educator, family, and volunteer who made this powerful night possible.