Ryan Yebba Memorial Mental Health Scholarship

Ryan was a beloved son, brother, nephew, and friend, lost to suicide at the young age of 24. Ryan was a precocious and empathetic child. He could be mischievous at times, often curious and impulsive. He was an avid reader of anything non-fiction and could hold conversations with the articulacy of most adults at a very young age.

Ryan was prone to anxiety as a child and developed mild motor tics. He received a diagnosis of ADHD and Tourette’s Syndrome at the age of 7. Throughout his school years, counseling and therapy was sought for Ryan as he began to experience bullying and rejection from his peers. Ryan tried hard to fit in, both in and out of school but was often met with ridicule and rejection.

As he grew older, he attended high school and found a group of peers that accepted and loved him, but he struggled with some learning disabilities that made it difficult to focus on academic achievement which led to further distress.

For his parents, the mental health field for children and adolescents proved to be difficult to navigate.

There were little resources available and the process to find the right fit in a counselor and the extraordinary cost of sessions was frustrating and discouraging. Ryan’s struggles continued as a young adult and he did his best to find success and happiness, enlisting in the Marine Corp, working in construction, and becoming independent but his feelings of hopelessness and despair intensified.

This scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Ryan by supporting students who are passionate about pursuing a career in mental health treatment.

Any high school junior or senior who is interested in going into a mental health field may apply for this scholarship if they’re devoted to creating a positive social change and progress in our schools.

To apply, tell us how you have advocated, or will advocate for progress and social change regarding bullying and harassment in K-12. Also, tell us why you are interested in pursuing a career in mental health and how you intend to streamline the now convoluted process of obtaining the appropriate treatment options for children adolescents struggling with mental health and bullying.