Mahjong for Mental Health

More than sixty parents, students, and community members filled the Memorial High School cafeteria for Mahjong for Mental Health, a brunch and game day that became the most successful single team–led event in Race for Wellness history.

The event supported The Mental Health Society (TMHS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2024 by AP Psychology teacher Jenna Rosen and former students Morgan Matherne and Emily Morris. TMHS was created with a direct goal: fund therapy for students who cannot afford it. Through its flagship program, the 10-week Race for Wellness, student teams at Memorial High School compete to raise money for the cause. In just three years, the race has grown to more than 600 students, raising over $250,000 and providing 750 hours of therapy for 54 students.

Mahjong for Mental Health showed how much of that work is student-driven. Memorial students spent weeks planning the brunch – designing the layout, coordinating with vendors, writing sponsor emails, organizing the raffle, and handling set-up and clean-up. On the day of the event, they greeted guests, managed check-in and raffle sales, troubleshot details, and kept the schedule moving. For many attendees, it felt less like a school fundraiser and more like a professionally run community event that happened to be led by teenagers.

The local memorial Mahjong group, Mahjong Meets Moxie, collaborated with the Compassion Crew to make this event possible. Pictured: Adriana Radulescu, Ashley Coroneos, Jennifer Hohman, Madeline Prejean, Marie Cheong, Nathalie Musick.

Several partners helped make the morning possible. Jennifer Hohman worked with her local mahjong group to support the event and was central in bringing experienced players to the tables. Lady Mahj volunteered her time to teach beginners, so even first-time players could fully join in.

Jennifer Pinkerton, a psychotherapist, delivered a guest speech emphasizing the significance of play, community, and mental well-being.

Guest speaker Jennifer Pinkerton, MS, CST, CTP, C-PD connected the game day to TMHS’ mission. Speaking about the mental-health impact of relationships and shared activities. She told the room, “We connect through community, and connection is medicine for our bodies, for our nervous system, and for our minds.”

The setting reflected that focus on connection. Decorator Lilian Soloman created mahjong-themed floral arrangements and blue-and-white lanterns that hung above the tables, tying the room together visually. Local businesses donated generously to a raffle with prizes ranging from $50 to $500, including items from Voodoo Doughnut, Bob’s Bagels, Edit, Frock Shop, Sal y Pimienta, Golden Thread, and others. Laura Ward contributed the grand prize: a full mahjong tile set that drew steady attention throughout the morning.

Decorative mahjong lanterns, created by the talented decorator Lilian Solomon.

Most importantly, the event highlighted what makes The Mental Health Society and the Race for Wellness model distinctive. TMHS is not only raising awareness about mental health; it is paying for actual therapy sessions while also building programs that bring students, families, and local partners into ongoing collaboration. The Society turns advocacy into action. Mahjong for Mental Health was one morning in the cafeteria, but it reflected something larger: a school community where students are given real responsibility and use it to build practical support for each other’s well-being.