UCLA RESILIENCE RUN 2026
FOR MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE PREVENTION
Join UCLA student athletes, students, alumni, and community members on October 4th from 1-3pm for the annual UCLA Resilience Run, a 5K dedicated to mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and community connection.
Founded in memory of two beloved UCLA student athletes lost to suicide, Natalie Puente and Daniel De La Torre, the Resilience Run brings together hundreds of participants each year to honor their lives, raise awareness about mental health, and remind one another that no one has to face their struggles alone.
For too long, mental illness has been misunderstood as a sign of weakness. The reality is that navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and other mental health challenges often requires tremendous strength and resilience. The Resilience Run exists to remind people that seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It is an act of courage.
Proceeds from the event support Resilience Rally's mission to connect students and young adults with affordable mental health care and resources. Through therapy access programs, community initiatives, educational resources, and partnerships with mental health providers, we are working to ensure that everyone has access to the support they need to thrive. Start therapy immediately and for free here.
What does it mean to end the stigma?
There is a harsh stigma that exists surrounding suicide. Suicide has a long tradition of being thought of as a criminal act. People who attempt suicide or die by suicide might be wrongly labelled as "attention seeking", "cowards", or "selfish". Those who perpetrate these stigmas avoid, shun, distrust, and stereotype those affected by suicide.
We want to end this hurtful stigma and educate people about suicide. Someone might want to end their life to escape what they feel is an impossible situation, to relieve unbearable thoughts or feelings from mental illness, or to relieve physical pain or incapacity. These individuals are often the most magnetic, bright, selfless, compassionate people you know. It is the pain you do not see that takes their life. Suicide is not selfish, it is devastating.
Together, we can help those who are struggling by creating a world that is more accepting. Allowing people to be vulnerable with their thoughts and emotions will lead to more conversations about mental health, more mental health care professionals and programs, and a society that is compassionate to pain that they cannot see on the outside.
Show your community that no one is alone and we will face mental illness and suicide together, head on.
You are not alone. You are resilient. Let's end the stigma.
We invite you to run or walk 5k with us in-person or virtually to end the stigma.
