At the 2024 Harrison Riedel Foundation Gala, Alex Riedel, Harrison’s sister, delivered a powerful speech.

She shared her personal journey following Harrison’s tragic passing, conveying her emotions and experiences with raw honesty. Her words resonated deeply with those who were present, offering hope and inspiration to young people facing similar challenges.

Alex not only honoured her brother’s memory, but she continues to advocate for the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention every day in her role as a HRF Ambassador. Her story is a testament to the strength and resilience of a young woman who has found the courage to advocate for others.

We sat down with Alex to discuss her continued involvement in the Harrison Riedel Foundation and her passion for youth mental health awareness. Here is what she had to say.

Can you tell us a little bit about your role as a Youth Ambassador for the Harrison Riedel Foundation? 

My role as a youth ambassador for the Harrison Riedel Foundation is all about giving my opinions and hopes for the YourCrew app alongside my peers. Working together with 8 others, we break apart different aspects of the app and give our perspectives on what we believe will benefit other youth. The HRF board considers this and uses our feedback to make appropriate updates.

Why do you think all young people should have access to a tool like YourCrew? 

In a generation so focused on social media and technology, we need a mental health tool on our phone that provides a means of communication. A way to open up to our friends purely through the click of a button. The app is so vitally important because, without friendship and communication, people are left to feel lonely and may use drastic measures to feel better.

The ability to access help resources all in one place through YourCrew is so essential because many young people don’t know how to get help in the first place, let alone know what to search for. YourCrew allows users to access the right help at the right time without needing to search for it. This is essential as I believe many young people don’t bother to get the help they need because it takes too long to find it.

What features of YourCrew are the ones you use the most and why? 

The check-in feature and the journal and my favourite. The check-in is so easy to use, and I love picking out emojis to show how I’m feeling. The journal also really supports me in knowing how to write down my thoughts and I love that it comes with prompts so when I don’t know how to start writing I have tips at hand.

Has YourCrew helped you develop any coping strategies when going through a difficult time?   

The power of YourCrew’s simple check-ins is a coping strategy in itself, being comfortable to open up to my friends through an emoji rather than words, makes me feel more connected to them and not alone in what I’m feeling.

What does having a Crew mean for you? 

Having a Crew means not being alone. I know that my Crew will be there for me at the touch of a button so when I’m feeling down or having a bad day, I don’t need to chase connection and love, it comes to me.

YourCrew has also empowered me to support others by showing me that everyone has bad days. I will be there for my Crew whenever they need me and show my support throughout the tough times and the good times.

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YourCrew is more than just an app; it’s a lifeline for young people seeking support. By downloading YourCrew or signing up via the web app, you can create a safe and supportive space for yourself and your friends, connect with others who understand what you’re going through, and access valuable resources. Sign up today.