DETROIT – The Detroit Pistons are working with local kids and teens to ensure they have the skills they need to thrive, from life skills to mental health management.
The Detroit Pistons Foundation, Children’s Foundation of Michigan, Duncan Robinson, and the Robinson Family Foundation made a special announcement in support of SAY Detroit’s LiveWELL Program, which provides school-based youth development programming focused on mental health, wellness, and life skills for Detroit Youth, on Tuesday, (March 24) inside of the SAY Detroit Play Center at Lipke Park.
Robinson spoke passionately about investing in the program that supports youth mental health in Detroit.
“Yeah, I mean, the greater Detroit area is an area that’s been near and dear to me long before I played for the Pistons.
Having gone to school at the University of Michigan right down the street, uh, this is a part of the country I’m really fond of.
And when I got to sign back here this summer, you know, one of the first things I wanted to do was find a way to make an impact on a community that supported me so much.
I couldn’t think of a better way to do it with a program like this. Um, you know, collaborating with SAY, collaborating with the Children’s Foundation, of course, the Pistons has been really meaningful.
Just to be here and see what they’re doing on a day-to-day level is really special.”
Duncan Robinson
SAY Detroit has the LiveWELL Program, which is one of the focal points of its investment in children’s mental health.
Robinson spoke on his own experience of dealing with mental health after the loss of his brother in 2025 due to suicide.
“We’ve just seen firsthand the importance of having these sorts of conversations and as uncomfortable and challenging as they can be, they’re very necessary and particularly, you know, with our girls and boys of the the future, the youth, trying to normalize those conversations and make it okay for somebody to raise their hand and say, ‘Hey, what I’m going through, uh, you know, is is tough and challenging.’
And to see places and programs like SAY really value that and understand that is really special.
And that’s why we wanted to continue to try to put resources behind what they’re doing.”
Duncan Robinson
The former Michigan Wolverines standout gave advice to kids struggling with mental health.
“Just understand that we want to focus on physical wellness, and that maybe comes to the forefront, but mental wellness is equally, if not more important, and that it’s okay if you’re going through something and something’s on your mind to raise your hand and seek out help.
That’s something that I’ve learned throughout my journey is the importance of relying on other people and, you know, the more we can collaborate and come together as a community, uh, the better off we’ll be.”
Duncan Robinson
Tuesday was a very important day, with organizations like the Pistons, who are gearing up for the NBA playoffs, and others coming together to support the youth of Detroit and to have a difficult conversation.