Laps for Life
Laps For Life is a powerful, positive event focused on changing the conversation about teenage mental health. We believe that with openness, love, and community support, we can have the courage to talk about our struggles and loss and become healthier together.
Part resource fair and part walk/run fundraiser, Laps for Life, is hosted by our school with the dual purpose of promoting mental health and preventing teen suicide. The event was created in 2012, following the heartbreaking suicide of De La Salle student Tyler Bunn, and is dedicated to him.
Over the past 12 years, we have contributed nearly $16,000 to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the Contra Costa County Crisis Center, BeingWellCa, and Bring Change 2 Mind.
Our Annual Laps for Life event had a major change in 2025. Instead of taking place on the first Saturday in February, we shifted the program to be during the school day to increase the number of Spartans and Cougars in attendance. Prior to the Laps for Life event, we held our first Wellness Week with puppies in the quad, mindfulness activities, a resource fair, games, and lots of snacks! At Laps for Life, our students heard from Gigi Crowder who works at NAMI Contra Costa, and we walked around the track in support of teenage mental health and the importance of community.
All proceeds from the 2025 event were donated to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Greater San Francisco Chapter to support suicide research, mental health resources, and treatment.
The 15th Annual Laps for Life Event for the 2025-26 school year will be held in the Spring of 2026. The date is to be determined.
How Laps for Life Started
In June 2011, our community tragically lost Spartan Brother Tyler Bunn to suicide. The news left us shocked and heartbroken. In order to show support and raise awareness for the topic of teen suicide, a "Tyler Bunn Run" (later renamed "Laps for Life") was held on March 2012. Wristbands were sold for $5 to tangibly show support for all who have been lost to suicide. Students, teachers, and the community at large became passionately involved with the event, and over $ 3,000 was raised and donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) that year.
Click here to learn about the research and advocacy AFSP has done regarding suicide and ways to prevent it.
Resources
If you are in crisis, contact the following resources:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
988
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Grief Hotline
1-800-837-1818
Seize The Awkward Resources:
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Everyone struggles with their own battles. Click Here to see celebrities and influencers speak about the impact of mental health awareness.
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Click Here to read on various signs of those struggling with mental health issues or to read on various mental health conversation starters.
Skills To Combat Mental Health Struggles:
Other mental health resources:
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6 Myths About Suicide That Every Educator And Parent Should Know
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Talk Saves Lives - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
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Unsure how to talk about mental health? Explore conversation starters with an interactive tool from Bring Change to Mind.