Local senior takes on P.S. I Love You Day project

Center Moriches High School senior Aiden Leuthardt helped light up the town in honor of P.S. I Love You Day on Friday, Feb. 9.

“P.S. I Love You Day left an impact on me when it was first brought to my high school after the pandemic,” Leuthardt said as to why he started getting involved. “I myself have struggled with mental health in a significant way, and seeing the school community come together to decorate the school was touching.”

The purple tree and Main Street lighting was done in an effort to raise awareness for mental health issues and suicide prevention. The tree at the King Kullen center was lit, as well as light posts on Main Street.

“I decided to do this because of how being a community can provide the support people who are struggling need,” he added.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1 in 5 teenagers struggle with mental health issues. 

P.S. I Love You Day is celebrated by schools across the nation to help raise awareness about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.

This year, P.S. I Love You Day was celebrated on Friday, Feb. 9. The theme was “Love is meant to be given.”

Last month, Moriches residents were able to see the purple lights on Main Street in Center Moriches to help remember those who are struggling daily, said Leuthardt.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please dial 988.

If anyone would like to make a donation to the cause for next year, mail contributions to Aiden Leuthardt at PO Box 104 East Moriches NY 11940 or venmo@Toni-smith-177.

For more information email Aiden at mainstreetmentalhealth@gmail.com. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to further awareness, encourage activism in teenagers, and local crisis and response centers.