The 15 For Life Foundation, which has a mission of opening dialogue about depression and mental health, is partnering with four Newtown High School sports programs to raise money and awareness to support its cause. Admission will not be charged for these games, but donations to support the foundation will be accepted. Games will take place on a pair of Saturdays as well as a Wednesday in the middle of the month (schedule details below).

Representatives of the these participating teams serve as ambassadors and will speak to fans about the importance of 15 For Life and mental health in general.

"Athletes struggle throughout the country," said Graham Spencer, a member of the NHS lacrosse program, adding that the cause is a very important one everywhere — including right here in town.

Initiated by 15 For Life, Newtown teams, and others in and of the country, have gotten on board with making time — 15 minutes per week — to open dialogue and make sure teammates are looking out for each other.

Newtown baseball player Kieran Garrity said mental health does not get the attention it deserves and added that high school athletes are often portrayed as being soft if they show emotion — something that needs to change. "I think it's really good," Garrity said of 15 For Life's efforts toward saving lives and supporting mental health.

Lacrosse player Kayla Locke echoed Garrity's sentiments. “The mission of 15 For Life is really important — that it's okay to not be okay," Locke said

It's very important for athletes to have an outlet where they can talk and share how the day or things in general are going, softball player Gabby Ansman added.

"It's really important to us. You never know what someone's going through," lacrosse player Nick Stockwell added.

Newtown’s Jeff Kavovit’s brother and lacrosse standout Rob Kavovit took his life at the age of 45 and left behind a wife and two children after battling silent depression. This tragedy prompted the family to start 15 For Life. The number 15 is symbolic for the Kavovit family — Rob wore the number to represent the one girl and five boys that made up their family.

"It's important to spread the mission. The more teams the better," said Kavovit, adding that he is thrilled to have these four spring sports squads on board.

Newtown High Athletic Director Matt Memoli said seeing 15 For Life begin with boys' lacrosse five years ago, expand with girls' lacrosse, and now be involved with several fall, winter, and additional spring sports is a credit to the efforts of Kavovit, the coaches, and athletes.

"It's a beneficial thing for all of our kids and coaches to do," Memoli said.

The special games are as follows:

*Girls' lacrosse — Saturday, May 2 versus Cheshire (Blue & Gold Stadium) 3:30 pm.

*Softball — Saturday, May 2 vs Immaculate of Danbury (Treadwell Park) 7 pm.

*Boys' lacrosse — Saturday, May 9 versus Pomperaug of Southbury (Blue & Gold Stadium) 7 pm.

*Baseball — Wednesday, May 13 versus Masuk of Monroe (Fairfield Hills) 6:30 pm.

For information, visit 15forlife.org.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.