JCC students express inspirational thoughts on mental health

Feb. 24--WATERTOWN -- In the hope of starting a conversation about mental illness and suicide, students at Jefferson Community College were invited to write an inspirational message, learn something new, and share their deepest secrets during the Alive! Mental Health Fair on Monday.

"We want to be able to get the word out about depression and suicide before people have to learn about the negative side when the media reports someone has died," said H. Reese Butler II, founder and president of National Hopeline Network. "If we make one student connection, it's worth it."

On Monday, volunteers from the National Hopeline Network set up the Alive! Mental Health Fair in the student lounge area in Jules Center Commons & Student Lounge at JCC.

The fair was organized by members of Student Activities.

Frank A. Doldo, director of student activities, said the students decided to bring back the fair for the fourth year because the students saw a need to initiate conversation.

"They felt that by starting a conversation it could hopefully eliminate the stigma about depression or suicide and get people talking," Mr. Doldo said.

Mr. Doldo said there will be another mental health fair held in the spring, which will focus on post-traumatic stress disorder and combat veteran related mental illness.

Mr. Butler said they have brought this fair to more than 40 college campuses and they deliberately keep the activities and lessons out of the conference rooms, hosting in student lounges and common areas.

"Its amazing to watch people go from 'what's this' to opening up to a stranger," Mr. Butler said.

The fair included several hands-on and educational exhibits. Mr. Butler said many participants started at the graffiti art table, where they were encouraged to write a message of hope and empowerment for any onlookers.

"We tell them, if you were depressed -- what could give you hope?" Mr. Butler said.

JCC student Liliana G. H. Scano wrote: "If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely," a quote by "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" author Roald Dahl.

She said she decided to write that phrase on the graffiti board because people can't control the negative attitudes of others, but it's possible to find happiness within yourself.

"Whenever you have happy thoughts, they always shine through," Ms. Scano said.

Mr. Butler said there were two documentary screenings including "A Reason to Live," which depicts young suicidal adults grappling with life and death issues and how crisis interventionists help them; and "Bullied," a documentary which describes what the true definition of bullying is.

At the create-your-own-secret exhibit, the participants were encouraged to write down a secret of theirs on a postcard and submit it anonymously.

Mr. Butler said on their website, AliveFair.org, students can see different secrets people have shared from their school over the years.

Lastly, there was a one-hour suicide prevention training course in Question Persuade and Refer, also known as QPR, on how to ask a friend or someone you are concerned about if they are suicidal, how to persuade them to get help, where to find that help and take them there. Counselors invited from the host college will be on hand to meet and speak to the students.

Mr. Butler said he has been coming to JCC for four years, never repeating two events.

"Every year there is a new student body, so that is what changes the tone of the fair," Mr. Butler said.

The Alive! Mental Health Fair is a program of the Kristin Brooks Hope Center. It was created to provide an educational suicide prevention program aimed at college students.

"What is important is letting them know there is help for them and the school cared enough to do events like this," Mr. Reese said.

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