Marley Larson, an 18-year-old from Knoxville, Iowa, has raised over $50,000 for local mental health organizations through her nonprofit, Chasing Positivity, which she founded after her brother Chase died by suicide at 19. Chase, a member of the Knoxville Volunteer Fire Department and a race car driver, inspired Marley to create the annual Suicide Prevention Horse Show in his memory, which began in 2019.

Despite facing skepticism about her age and capabilities, Marley’s determination has driven her efforts to promote mental health awareness. She is part of the Chasing Positivity Dream Drill team, which focuses on spreading positivity and hosting events like kindness days in local schools. Marley believes that openly discussing mental health is crucial to breaking the stigma surrounding it.

Marley aims to honor her brother’s legacy by emphasizing his vibrant personality rather than the circumstances of his death. She plans to continue her advocacy while attending Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and will return for this year’s Suicide Prevention Horse Show on October 4 and 5 at the Marion County Fairgrounds.