Student, 15, Spearheads Efforts To Tackle Substance Abuse, Mental Health Issues, With Hamptons Event

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — An East Hampton High School student has taken strides to help tackle substance abuse and mental health issues in his community.

Gaige, 15, is a member of the youth advisory board of Generation S.O.S., a non-profit organization organized to bring "life-saving, peer-to-peer mental health support to teens and young adults at schools and community organizations."

To that end, Generation S.O.S. said will return to the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton on Saturday, June 13 with a free, community-wide event, "Bridging Two Worlds."

The event takes place from noon to 2 p.m. at the Shinnecock Community Center, located at 31 Church Street in Southampton.

"We are losing a generation of young adults to substance misuse and other mental health challenges," said Robin Aviv, founder of Generation S.O.S. (Sharing Our Stories). "For decades, shame, stigma, and misunderstanding have kept these issues hidden, preventing meaningful progress against a dire public health crisis. This event with the Shinnecock Nation is particularly significant for the East End community, which has been ravaged by these issues recently."

The event, at the Shinnecock at the Community Center, was spearheaded by Gaige, whose last name was not given to protect the identity of a minor.

Gaige is an East Hampton High School rising sophomore; his family members live on the Shinnecock Reservation, he said.

"I have seen the devastation of substance misuse and other serious mental health issues in my community and on the Reservation," said Gaige. "Through Generation S.O.S., I am committed to casting a bright light on these issues and helping save more lives by spreading the word. My goal is to have students from a dozen area schools at this hugely important event."

So far, East Hampton, Pierson, Southampton, Westhampton, and Ross schools are confirmed for the event. Gaige and Generation S.O.S. expect additional schools to join, he said.

In addition to students, the program is free of charge and open to the public — particularly young adults, parents, and anyone interested in information and support on the topic of substance misuse. Registration is requested here.

At the event, Gaige will introduce the mission and work of Generation S.O.S. and discuss the critical health issue from his "two worlds" perspective.

Then, in keeping with the organization’s peer-to-peer approach, a young speaker will share their deeply personal story about mental health struggles, substance misuse, their decision to seek help, and the coping strategies that help them navigate the many challenges they face today, organizers said.

The program will conclude with a Q&A session for the audience to ask questions directly or anonymously.

This event continues Generation S.O.S.’s on-going partnership with the Shinnecock Nation, event organizers said.

The relationship began in 2024 with a meeting on the Reservation led by Shinnecock Nation member Shane Weeks, followed later that year by a gathering at the Boys & Girls Club at Shinnecock., which offers drug and alcohol prevention resources.

Generation S.O.S. also took part in and sponsored the Shinnecock Health & Wellness Fair and helped to sponsor the Shinnecock Summer Powwow in June 2024, organizers said.

"I decided to organize this event because other Native American tribes across the country suffer from high rates of substance and alcohol abuse. On the Shinnecock Indian Reservation we strive to ensure that our youth (including myself) have a strong support system by maintaining open and free spaces where kids don’t feel afraid to ask questions and gain knowledge on unspoken topics. I know Generation S.O.S.can provide a proactive solution for people my age by exposing them to an interactive space where no one is discriminated against based on backgrounds or past history," Gaige said.