DuBOIS, Pa. — Three Penn State DuBois Campus Peer Educators participated in the 17th Annual Walk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness in DuBois on Sept. 13, joining members of the community to raise awareness about suicide prevention and support those affected by suicide.
Melina Powers, Jacob Newcamp and Laken Lashinsky represented the Campus Peer Educators, a sponsored organization at Penn State DuBois that hosts programs focused on wellness, mental health, sobriety and harm reduction.
The Campus Peer Educators decided last spring to support the walk using funds the organization had raised through its fundraising efforts. The students determined how they wanted to contribute and selected items for a raffle basket that included self-help books, items featuring the semicolon — a recognized symbol of hope for individuals who have experienced mental health challenges or suicidal thoughts — as well as a Penn State blanket and journal.
The students also participated in the annual walk through DuBois City Park, led by local police, and visited information tables hosted by organizations and services from throughout the area. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about local resources and hear stories from speakers who shared their experiences with grief, loss and hope.
Newcamp also recently completed Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) training as part of the Summer Leadership Conference at Penn State Berks. The training is designed to help participants recognize warning signs of a potential suicide crisis and learn how to respond and connect an individual with appropriate resources.
The Annual Walk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness is held each September during National Suicide Prevention Month. The event is organized by the Clearfield Jefferson Suicide Prevention Team, a nonprofit organization that provides education, advocacy and resources related to suicide prevention in Clearfield and Jefferson counties.
“I’m very proud of our Campus Peer Educators for choosing to support this event and for taking an active role in raising awareness about suicide prevention,” said Brittany Martell, mental health counselor at Penn State DuBois and adviser to the Campus Peer Educators. “Their involvement reflects the care they have for others and their commitment to promoting mental health and wellness both on campus and in the community.”