We live in a connected world, but young adults today continue to feel isolated. In fact, 1 in 4 young adults experience a mental health crisis each year. The risk remains high amongst youth athletes, as they face added pressure to perform at the individual and team levels.

But there is hope. Over 2/3 of them will accept support from a peer.

In honor of Hayden Thorsen, who left us far too early, #HT40 was founded in 2022 to bring people together through kindness and compassion, just as he did throughout his life. To inspire a culture of support through small actions that have big impact. Like a hand on a shoulder that lets you know you’re not alone.

That’s what Shoulder Check is all about. It’s a commitment to reaching out, checking in and making contact with those around you. A Shoulder Check is something everyone can do—in locker rooms, in the halls, on and off the ice. It’s as simple as a “hey, how’s it going?” to ensure the person next to you feels appreciated, supported and loved.

Your donation funds our goal, turning these small actions into daily habits/rituals through action-oriented initiatives that foster social connectedness. 

To learn more about how you can show support and come together with our community, check out our Take Action page on https://shouldercheck.org and follow @TheShoulderCheck on Instagram.