Memorial Wresting Tournament Aims to Break Mental Health Stigma

The Eric Monday Foundation is pleased to announce its 12th Annual Melee Til Midnight Wrestling Tournament.

Taking place at the George Mason University Field House on Saturday, June 22, 2024, the Melee is an annual memorial fundraising activity for the Eric Monday Foundation. A marquee event drawing wrestlers from 20 states to compete in a tournament environment with an aim to take down the stigma surrounding mental health.

Many individuals in the U.S. are prevented from engaging in mental healthcare due to the pervasive barrier placed upon them by the public stigma surrounding mental health. Forty nine percent of adolescents will experience a mental health issue during their lifetime. The tournament and foundation aim to break that barrier.

“Many who struggle with mental health challenges carry an associated stigma that makes it very difficult to know where and how to get help when it is needed most. It is the Foundation’s mission to ‘take down the stigma’ of these challenges, raise awareness of them with trusted advisors and facilitate open dialogue to address issues,” said President and Founder Brian Monday.

Registration for the Melee is open through midnight, Thursday, June 21, 2024. Age and weight classes range from 8 through open (19 and up). A pooled weight class (Madison system) is used where needed. Athletes are encouraged to register early as the event is capped at 500 wrestlers.
To register, sponsor, attend, or live stream the event please visit the event website: https://melee-til-midnight.com/. As a volunteer run event the Melee always welcomes volunteers. Volunteers can sign up to assist with the tournament here: https://rb.gy/b3k7zj

The Eric Monday Foundation works with community leaders, local schools, coaches, educators, mental health experts and key influencers in the lives of young people to take down the stigma surrounding mental health awareness.