Golfers in the Central Valley will soon be hitting the greens for their mental health.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Golfers in the Central Valley will soon be hitting the greens for their mental health.

The first Fresno Tee Off for Mental Health Golf Tournament will take place at Eagle Springs Golf and Country Club in Friant.

According to the CDC, one in five adults suffers from a mental illness.

“I had a family member who took their own life, and I also had some challenges growing up early,” Kina McFadden said.

“I would say my brother had a mental breakdown in the early 1990s,” Andre Covington recalls.

Covington is a comedian and radio host. He uses his platform to raise awareness about the mental health crisis in the Valley.

“It’s almost like it’s a hidden secret for a lot of families until you start talking about it and then say, ‘You know what, I had to go through the same thing with my uncle or my aunt,’ and it touches so many people,” he said.

Covington will host a golf tournament with a portion of the proceeds going back to Fresno nonprofit 4C Children and Family Services. The organization aims to address the challenges that at-risk children and families face with mental health care.

McFadden, the event coordinator, said it is important to support mental health organizations that are making a difference in the community.

“They take on a huge responsibility to just love you, encourage you, motivate you, inspire you to know that you can be anything you can be, she said.” Whatever you’re going through, guess what? You will get through it, and you are not alone.”

Fresno Tee Off begins at 9 a.m. May 17 at Eagle Springs Golf and Country Club in Friant.

Registration and sponsorship opportunities are still available at fresnoteeoff.com.

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