Archived News |

March 30, 2011

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ to sponsor MINDFEST March 31

What: MINDFEST
Where: º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ Quad
When: 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday, March 31

MINDFEST is hosted by º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ HELPS (Helping Educators and Learners Prevent Suicide) in partnership with º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ's Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic, Community Counseling Center and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ Counseling Center.

MINDFEST is a two-fold awareness campaign for º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ students, faculty and staff.

First, MINDFEST hopes to help open a dialog about mental health on campus.

Second, MINDFEST wants to "send silence packing."

To open the dialog, student interns, clinicians, and faculty from the three therapy/counseling centers on campus will at the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ Quad ready to meet and talk to patrons.

Also, there will be information on how to get involved through QPR training or joining the new Active Minds student organization.

Send silence packing, a visual display that is appearing around the nation, will be unveiled at the event.

This display will represent each of the 1,100 college students who died by suicide this year.

Suicide affects everyone.

Every life lost is a tragedy and indication that more help and prevention is needed.

"United, we can pull together to bring and build awareness to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ and beyond," said Dr. Jana Sutton, Principal Investigator for º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ HELPS.

According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover.

"º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ HELPS is working to educate º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ faculty, staff, police officers, students and their families to recognize the warning signs of mental health issues and then to direct the person in need to find help.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ HELPS wants to let all students and personnel know that there are many people on the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ campus who ready and wanting help others in need, " said Peggy Buffington, Project Director for º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ HELPS.

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