The second annual Movement for Mental Health got underway Friday morning at W.H. Croxford High School in Airdrie.

Approximately 200 students are taking part in the event this year. At least one person from each student team must keep moving for a full 24 hours by participating in events like yoga, Zumba, and kickboxing. The events are led by local instructors.

Grade 11 student Luca Galler, who is on the MMH executive planning team, says the event has given the school a sense of identity.

She says all the money raised goes to Airdrie Addiction and Mental Services, which is an organization that is important to her personally.

“I’ve actually gone to Airdrie Addiction and Mental Health Services for therapy services and they were amazing and it’s really helped me,” says Galler.

Last year's event raised $28,000 and Galler says she hopes the total will meet or exceed that this year.

Grade 11 student Rylan Walker says he helped to plan the inaugural event last year.

He says they wanted a fun, spirited, exciting event that could be a legacy event for the school and have an impact. He says they decided to focus the event around mental health because it has an impact on many students.

Grade 10 student Ty Boese says the hope is to end the stigma around mental health and is grateful for the support the community has shown around the event.

“The support of the community and the respect we get is amazing,” says Boese.

The Movement for Mental Health event will wrap up Saturday morning, but donations will still be accepted on the W.H. Croxford web page until April 30.