Resilience, awareness and remembering to “take care of you”

Sisters Erin and Lisa Mascaro co-founded the Sounds of Silence fundraising committee within the Postpartum Resource Center of New York (PRCNY) in 2008, inspired by Lisa’s experience with postpartum depression. What started as a fundraising committee has since evolved into not only a run, but a movement to break the silence and stigma around mental health.

The journey of the SOS Awareness Foundation has not been without profound heartbreak. Lisa tragically lost her long battle with depression in 2014. At the time, Erin armored herself with perfection and busyness. The years that followed were a blur of trauma and resilience: losing her father, navigating family milestones and changes, and constantly moving forward to avoid facing the enormity of the loss.

Erin was shaken once again by the silence of her sister Susanne’s death, who passed in 2018, also due depression.

“Her passing reopened everything I had suppressed. I was—and still am—consumed by the haunting questions: ‘How could this happen?’ and ‘How could I let this happen?,’” Erin bravely shared. “But that pain is what fuels our mission. Mental illness is silent. The sounds of silence are profound. Teaching someone they are worth the effort of self-care can change the trajectory of a life—and an entire family.”

Lisa’s mantra, “Take Care of You,” empowered Erin to keep their mission going, and Sounds of Silence exists to teach the power of those simple words.

“Once you embody them, they become a form of strength,” said Erin. “We hope to create a community of hope—a place where people feel seen and heard, even in their silence. A place where mental well-being is not just a priority, but a shared value.”

An annual 5k Run/Walk and 10K Run is held by Sounds of Silence at Walker Beach in Brightwaters. This year’s race will be rain or shine on Saturday, May 17 at 8 a.m. Other mental health nonprofit organizations in addition to the PRCNY, such as the Long Island Crisis Center and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will be in attendance at the race for participants to have direct access to the vital programs and resources of help available to them. A wide variety of raffle baskets, a 50/50, SOS merchandise and kids crafts will also be available.

The SOS Awareness Foundation, Inc. proudly continues their mission with a renewed sense of purpose this year, as the foundation was incorporated as a charitable organization in January. While proceeds from this year’s run will still benefit PRCNY, the SOS Awareness foundation will allow Sounds of Silence to expand their advocacy and support more individuals—especially students—and partner with other organizations that promote mental wellness and self-care.

Two scholarships have already been launched at Commack High School and a scholarship is launching at Bay Shore High School this week. The scholarships aim  to empower youth to “Take Care of You”—prioritizing both their mental and physical well-being—while making a meaningful impact in mental health advocacy.

The Sounds of Silence Mental Health Advocacy Scholarship is dedicated to high school students who are passionate about supporting those struggling with mental health. This scholarship seeks to uplift students who are committed to fostering a supportive and understanding environment in their communities.

The Sounds of Silence Mental Health Professional Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who have overcome or are actively working to overcome a mental health challenge, or have experienced mental health struggles through someone close to them, and are committed to pursuing a degree in a mental health-related field (psychology, counseling, social work, psychiatry, etc.).

“If we can empower our younger generations to put on their oxygen masks first—before picking up a stick, instrument, or book—then maybe, as life presents its inevitable challenges, they’ll remember to take care of themselves first. And to reach out for help,” explained Erin.

To register for the 5K run, 5K walk, or 10k run, visit https://events.elitefeats.com/25sos. Prices range from $18.28 to $54.50 depending on race distance and age. Attendees are asked to give themselves ample time for parking as there will be rolling road closures of Montauk Highway.