Harold Teller wanted to find a way to help those in the community confronting mental health issues. So Teller, now a ninth grader at Commack High School, started a basketball tournament for friends and classmates.
 
 Two years later, the annual event has raised nearly $13,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
 
 Teller on Wednesday received a visit at the high school from Ann Morrison-Pacella, the foundation’s executive director for the Long Island Chapter.
 
 With his family, principal Carrie Lipenholtz and other high school administrators on hand, Morrison-Pacella presented Teller with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Community Service Award.
 
 “I really felt that it was important for you to understand how what you did is really making a difference,” Morrison-Pacella told him. “I truly believe that your generation is going to change the stigmas with asking for help and for talking about mental health. To have a young person like yourself do something like this to raise awareness is really making a difference.”
 
 Said Lipenholtz: “We’re so incredibly proud of you. Your efforts are so meaningful.”
 
 Not only does Teller intend to continue the annual 3v3 basketball tournament held in Holbrook — which annually has attracted 150 participants — he also is planning to host a capture-the-flag event at Short Beach in Nissequogue on May 5 to raise additional funds for the foundation.
 
 The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention uses the funds in the local community for education and to support those who are struggling or have lost someone.
 
 “I know people who have struggled with mental health, and I wanted to help,” Teller said.

 Said Morrison-Pacella: “It’s not a comfortable topic to talk about, and it should be. Doing events like you are having and raising awareness and letting people know that it’s OK not to be OK, and that when we talk about our struggles that we can get help, that helps other people understand they are not alone.”