Belmont volleyballer raises suicide prevention awareness

BELMONT — The assignment was to do something that pushed her out of her comfort zone. But for Belmont High School senior Chasey Fleck, the work took on a much deeper personal significance.

Belmont’s 12th grade English course asks students to take on a challenging task of their choice, present their work to their peers and to reflect and journal on the process along the way. Fleck decided for her project to fundraise and educate about suicide prevention. Her volleyball team made a recent home game against Somersworth an event to honor Andre’s Army, an organization that raises money and awareness and offers community support to promote mental health and prevent suicide. At the game, donations and bake sale revenue brought in nearly $500 for the group.

The cause hits close to home for Fleck: in 2021 her friend and longtime cheerleading teammate Andre, the group’s namesake, died by suicide. 

While schools are increasingly implementing mental health care resources and awareness programs, it may not necessarily mean students are engaging with the subject on a personal level and in their own circles.

“I thought that wouldn't happen to me, like nobody around me is going to want to not live. But then it actually happened,” Fleck said. “It made me realize this is a real issue that needs to be talked about.”

While the project meant diving headfirst into one of Fleck’s fears, public speaking, she did so in a place she feels her most confident and supported: the volleyball court. And, in addition to accomplishing her goal of fundraising and opening dialogue in her school community, Fleck said she is coming out of the project with new strength to speak publicly about a personally important, if difficult, subject.

“I feel like I got the word out,” Fleck said. “And I'm glad that I can talk about it, instead of just shutting down.” 

At the Oct. 20 game, the Raiders donned special purple and teal jerseys, purchased by Fleck, to set the tone. The gym donned balloon arches, and Fleck and teammate Sophia Gilbert offered remarks.

The effort to make the game feel different than normal paid off, Principal Matt Finch said, and the crowd was “locked in.” He complimented the Somersworth team and fans for being equally engaged. 

“There was a real little community that seemed to be built within a few minutes,” Finch said, adding he was proud and impressed by Fleck’s undertaking. 

“THIS is why Andre’s Army is so strong! Please continue to speak up, talk about mental health and suicide prevention awareness!” Andre’s Army wrote in a post on its Facebook page. “I am so proud of Chasey Fleck and her whole team."

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The Sunshine Effect is a new series in The Laconia Daily Sun highlighting the people and organizations working to improve our communities through volunteering and fundraising. We believe that telling their stories will encourage others to support their work, and launch new charitable efforts of their own. Have a suggestion for someone making a difference we should feature? Share it with us at laconiadailysun.com/sunshineeffecttip.