Union College is hosting Stop the Stigma, a 5K walk event on September 24 for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. September is National Suicide Awareness Month and the Union College Active Minds chapter wants to help break down barriers for students dealing with stress, depression and other challenges.
“No one should struggle alone,” said Lorie Escobar, Union’s mental health counselor. “There are so many resources available and we want students to understand that it is okay to seek help.”
The event will begin under the clock tower on Union’s campus at 6:30 p.m. with a talk by former Husker football star DeMoine Adams. He played defensive end for the Huskers from 1998-2002 and helped the team secure a spot in the national championship 2002 Rose Bowl. As a first-generation college student, Adams understands the challenges facing college students, but he went on to become an academic All-Big 12 student and is currently earning a Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska.
His talk will focus on the importance of building positive relationships that will help students be successful even in tough times. His motto: “Once you know where you are going, then everything you do must correspond with where you are going.”
The event will also feature therapy dogs from Healing Hearts, prizes and a five kilometer walk culminating at 49ers Field, Union’s athletic facility at 56th and Calvert.
Union’s Active Minds chapter is a part of the nationwide Active Minds organization dedicated to bringing attention to mental health issues in young adults. With more than 550 chapters, the organization provides a variety of resources to promote mental health on college campuses and beyond.
Facemasks are required for all attendees.
If you want to support the efforts of Union’s Active Minds chapter, there will be opportunities to make a financial gift during the event, or you can support them by clicking this link.