This post was written by Hatchet reporter Joy Finneran.

The U.S. attorney general and a Grammy Award-winning singer spoke up for youths battling mental trauma Wednesday at Lisner Auditorium during a tribute sponsored by a branch of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Eric Holder, who heads the U.S. Department of Justice, called on individuals to mentor at-risk teenagers during the event called “Heroes of Hope,” held as a celebration for National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius honored vocalist Cyndi Lauper for her foundation that helps lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth who are homeless.

“As the attorney general and the father of three teenage kids, protecting the safety and the potential of our nation’s young people is a personal and professional priority of mine,” Holder said. “It demands innovative, aggressive and collaborative solutions.”

Lauper, honorary chair of the event, spoke in support of adolescents struggling with their sexuality, or who face bullying from friends and family because there are gay.

Her organization, the True Colors Fund, works to engage communities to advance LGBT equality and to reach out to LGBT adolescents in need. Lauper received the honor from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an arm of the department of health.

“No kid should be lost, because they’re our future. I’ve come here to shine a light on that and on my organization The True Colors Fund,” Lauper said.

The tribute also featured tales from youths who have found help from friends and family members acting as mentors.

Aneja Raiteri, a teenager from Tennessee who has faced challenges such as homelessness, family issues and illness, was one of five youth performers.  She stressed the importance of support for adolescents struggling with mental health issues, and their need for people around them to lend a hand.

“At one point I lived in an abandoned house with no water, no electricity, no heat. I cried a lot,” Raiteri said, adding that a mentor helped her find hope.

Jeremiah Welch, a student at University of Tennessee-Knoxville, spoke about his difficulties coming out as gay when he was in high school.

“I would get spit at, or people would throw things at me,” Welch said. “I just couldn’t take all of the torture.”

His high school teachers, he said, made the difference.