We launched!
The friendship bench is a non-profit organization that has been established to support existing mental health groups on college and university campuses across the country that raise awareness about anxiety and depression among students and the corresponding rise in student suicides. The bench will serve as a catalyst for peer-to-peer conversations about mental health and to encourage students to ask for – and give support – when needed. The initiative will also provide a donation of $1,000 to the on-campus support group and our team of social and digital marketers will work with local groups to improve online and offline awareness campaigns.
More about the program can be found online: www.thefriendshipbench.org. Watch the introductory video for some background.
The program was inspired by my 19 year-old son, Lucas who, before succumbing to depression and taking his own life, reached out to others who were also suffering in silence and in many cases considering suicide. His actions saved the lives of many by providing an ear or a shoulder to lean on. Throughout high school and college Lucas actively encouraged people to get help from parents or professionals and when they wouldn’t, he was there to listen. In every case we’ve heard about, those he reached out to are now doing well and getting help. They’ve credited Lucas for saving their lives.
With an increasing number of students dropping out of school and/or attempting suicide (1 in 4 college kids today suffer from some form of mental health issue and of those, 50 percent don’t ask for help), it’s my goal to continue Lucas’s efforts by encouraging future students to talk about mental health, to ask for help, and to offer it.
I need your support.
I would appreciate you sharing this program with your personal and/or business contacts. First and foremost, we’re trying to raise awareness about the increasing threat our students are facing. Secondly, we’re trying to raise money from individuals and corporations who want to support our efforts.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/friendshipbench/timeline
Website http://thefriendshipbench.org/promote/
Website http://thefriendshipbench.org/donate/
Twitter: @Yellowis4hello #YellowIsForHello
