A Bridgeport high school softball team is playing for more than just a championship this season.

Kolbe Cathedral high school is dedicating all of its home games to raising awareness for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

“Our kids are fighting something right now," athletic director Larry Hamilton says. "We have to make sure that they understand that it’s OK for them to say they are not OK."

The initiative was spearheaded by student-athletes on the team.

“Everybody deals with mental health," senior captain Mckala Green says. "Not everybody knows how to act on it, but everyone goes through it either in the dark or in the light."

The cougars are making different posters with messages of support for each home game, getting their opponents to sign them, and taking pictures with the opposing team to stand in solidarity with those who may be struggling.

"As we go more into the season," junior Jaylynn Benjamin says. "You’ll see more things like ribbons and colorful headbands, just to put the mental health awareness out there."

“At this age, they harbor a lot," initiative chairperson Jennifer Spain says. "I want to see more of these young ladies getting together and helping each other out, leaning on each other, and just knowing that they have support behind them."

The team plays its home games at Cal Ripken field on Ocean Terrace in Bridgeport.