7’s Hero: Kylee Wiscombe leads Gr8ter’s mission for mental health recovery

DONNELLY, Idaho — Have you heard of Gr8ter? It is an Idaho nonprofit that focuses on mental health recovery. What makes it so special is that it was founded by a local woman who faced her own mental health crisis. Kylee Wiscombe is passionate about spreading the word that living your best life again is possible.  

“Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with a major mental health struggle, and through that I realized that I didn’t want other people to feel the way I was feeling,” Wiscombe said. “The shame and the stigma and the pain was so intense, and I had an idea. What if I started a nonprofit to help people?” 

That is how Gr8ter was born. 

“We are here to encourage people that they are not alone; if they just step forward, they can have the life they desire. Three things really helped me, movement, connection and purpose,” Wiscombe said. 

It all started with the Gr8ter Socks Project. Gr8ter provides sock kits to people in hospitals, schools, mental health care providers, homeless shelters, substance abuse programs and more. Wiscombe says the idea is to empower others to step forward and live the happy life they deserve. 

Gr8ter has added other projects as the years have gone on, including Trail Fridays to build connection and community. The nonprofit’s signature event is Top of Tamarack, and it was a huge success this year. It was held at the end of September in honor of Suicide Prevention Month.

“This was year five for it, and it was bigger and better than ever. It’s such a beautiful, powerful experience that you can’t understand it unless you are there,” she said. 

Top of Tamarack participants bike, run, or hike up the mountain at Tamarack Resort. You go at your own pace, and it’s all about mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and honoring those we have lost to suicide. 

“It really gives people a place to honor their loved ones, to celebrate their loved ones who died by suicide or mental health struggle, ” Wiscombe said. That is often a taboo subject, and there’s a lot of shame surrounding that.”

Along the course, there is a special segment of the trek called Memorial Mile, where people can share the names of the people they have lost to suicide. 

“You can’t understand how beautiful it is until you walk that Memorial Mile, and you see people are bringing pictures of their loved ones and flowers,” she said. “It’s so special. We have over 150 lives out there that were lost to suicide or mental health struggles, and we want to honor them.” 

There is also a section of the Top of Tamarack course called Overcomer Alley. 

“Then you are going to trek your way up to Overcomer Alley, and those are the people who are stepping forward. We want to celebrate those names too; they are here, they are trudging along, doing their best,” Wiscombe said. 

All the special details so touched participants at the event.  

Wiscombe is bringing the hope of recovery to so many. She says she is still working on recovering and always will be. She adds that mental health is an ongoing journey, and focusing on that is so worth it. 

“Top of Tamarack was an incredible experience this year. We came, we celebrated the lives that have been lost to suicide and mental health struggles, and we celebrated people who are still here overcoming. We stayed, we cheered every racer to the finish because what we are doing out here matters,” she said.  

Gr8ter has projects and events throughout the year to help people step forward on their mental health journeys. Right now, the organization is focusing on planning and fundraising for the Sock Project, which will take place at the beginning of 2026. People can get involved by volunteering or donating.

Trail Fridays happen year-round, rain or shine, so Wiscombe says that’s a great way to get involved. The nonprofit is also actively looking for a few new board members. If you are interested in joining the board or volunteering, you can find more information on the website under the VOLUNTEER tab.