What is A.I.R.? A.I.R. stands for Attitudes in Reverse. Mental Illness is like air, just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it isn't there. It’s all around us.
A.I.R. was founded in 2010. The term was coined by Katelyn Baker in response to the death of her brother by suicide on May 19, 2009.
A.I.R.’s goal is to start conversations about mental health issues because the best suicide prevention program is a good mental health awareness program. No one should be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help.
A.I.R. targets youth in high school, a time when teenagers are especially confused, stressed and subject to peer pressure and school pressure, making them vulnerable to the onset of mental illness.
A.I.R.’s mission is to teach young people the signs and symptoms associated with mental illness so they can get help for themselves or a family member.
A.I.R.’s signature colors are green, the color of children’s mental illness and white for the hope that the stigma of mental illness will one day be gone.
May 19 has been designated as National A.I.R Awareness Day, a day of kindness, empathy, respect and acceptance of others who are different inside as well as outside.
Who is Kenny?
Kenny Baker was 19 years old when he lost his struggle with an anxiety disorder and depression and completed suicide by train on May, 19, 2009 on the Northeast Corridor line near his home.
Kenny was the beloved son of Tricia and Kurt Baker of Plainsboro, New Jersey and the brother of Katelyn. At the time of his death, he left behind a girlfriend and many supportive and loving friends.
Kenny was less than three weeks from high school graduation. In his emotional state, the idea of leaving school and moving on to the next phase of life was too overwhelming for him.
Kenny was always a bright student. He was in the math honors classes at school.
Kenny was a swimmer with the Hamilton Aquatics Club and the West Windsor Plainsboro High School Northern Knights swim team. He swam 6 days a week.
Kenny worked as a lifeguard at the Princeton YWCA. He volunteered at the local animal shelter.
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