Mercyhurst has finally agreed to partner with the Jed Foundation to overhaul our mental health and suicide prevention programs. It has been a long and draining road to get here but I am relieved that our efforts actually moved the needle. We have to keep a close eye on the …
May 10, 2019
Bring the Jed Foundation to Mercyhurst to Help Improve Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs
Final supporters
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for the nation's young adults and continues to rise at an alarming rate. Mercyhurst University and its student body need to work towards suicide prevention and mental wellbeing to further help protect and save our friends, family, and fellow students. To do this, Mercyhurst should build a partnership with the Jed Foundation and become a JED Campus. JED is a nonprofit organization that strives to help protect young people's mental health and works towards the prevention of suicide. This is done by strengthening schools' mental health programs, along with substance abuse and suicide prevention programs.
Updates
May 2, 2019
Reaching this level of support honestly feels heavy because it confirms how many of us are hurting and waiting for real change. The administration can no longer look away from the need for the Jed Foundation here. I am exhausted by the slow pace of this fight but seeing this many people backing the cause keeps me pulling forward.
Reached 100 supporters
May 2, 2019
18 Comments
Mental health is a crucial tool for young adults to understand while going through a difficult transition like college and entering into the professional world. Students need the resources to learn about mental health so that they can understand their emotions and learn healthy ways to cope with stressors in life!
Good work McKenzie! I remember Professor Hoff talking about the JED Foundation in class.
I think this is great idea!! In high school I took part in an anti-bully program as well as a group called “SOS” which stands for Sources of Strength which is a Suicide Prevention program that brings suicide awareness to students and teachers in high schools. I hope this takes off here at Mercyhurst and would love to be a part of this organization!
Katherine - Not only am I shocked by this comment, I am also disgusted with how you were treated; my heart aches for you. Schools need to start prioritizing students' mental health and work towards greater mental wellbeing and suicide prevention. Clearly, some things need to change. Although I can't change the past, I hope to help prevent things like this from happening again. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like updates on this project. Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you all of the best with your future endeavors; I am sure you will do great things.
My only complaint with Mercyhurst is with the counseling center. They are not trained to handle serious mental illnesses, which is unacceptable for any college campus. When I went to the counseling center for anorexia and depression, I gained nothing. After a suicide attempt I was BANNED from campus, only to be escorted back to collect my things. After being cleared by mental health professionals in my hometown, I am still not allowed to attend school there, because of a potential relapse. Mercyhurst, and all other universities, need to make students’ mental health a priority.
Good cause.
Thank you Makenzie :) everything you do matters. You’re a great role model and even better friend.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Mercyhurst has finally agreed to partner with the Jed Foundation to overhaul our mental health and suicide prevention programs. It has been a long and draining road to get here but I am relieved that our efforts actually moved the needle. We have to keep a close eye on the …
May 10, 2019
Bring the Jed Foundation to Mercyhurst to Help Improve Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs
Final supporters
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for the nation's young adults and continues to rise at an alarming rate. Mercyhurst University and its student body need to work towards suicide prevention and mental wellbeing to further help protect and save our friends, family, and fellow students. To do this, Mercyhurst should build a partnership with the Jed Foundation and become a JED Campus. JED is a nonprofit organization that strives to help protect young people's mental health and works towards the prevention of suicide. This is done by strengthening schools' mental health programs, along with substance abuse and suicide prevention programs.
Updates
May 2, 2019
Reaching this level of support honestly feels heavy because it confirms how many of us are hurting and waiting for real change. The administration can no longer look away from the need for the Jed Foundation here. I am exhausted by the slow pace of this fight but seeing this many people backing the cause keeps me pulling forward.
Reached 100 supporters
May 2, 2019
18 Comments
I think it would be amazing to become a JED campus. Resources reaching those in need is crucial at this point in our lives.
Mental health is a crucial tool for young adults to understand while going through a difficult transition like college and entering into the professional world. Students need the resources to learn about mental health so that they can understand their emotions and learn healthy ways to cope with stressors in life!
Good work McKenzie! I remember Professor Hoff talking about the JED Foundation in class.
I think this is great idea!! In high school I took part in an anti-bully program as well as a group called “SOS” which stands for Sources of Strength which is a Suicide Prevention program that brings suicide awareness to students and teachers in high schools. I hope this takes off here at Mercyhurst and would love to be a part of this organization!
Katherine - Not only am I shocked by this comment, I am also disgusted with how you were treated; my heart aches for you. Schools need to start prioritizing students' mental health and work towards greater mental wellbeing and suicide prevention. Clearly, some things need to change. Although I can't change the past, I hope to help prevent things like this from happening again. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like updates on this project. Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you all of the best with your future endeavors; I am sure you will do great things.
My only complaint with Mercyhurst is with the counseling center. They are not trained to handle serious mental illnesses, which is unacceptable for any college campus. When I went to the counseling center for anorexia and depression, I gained nothing. After a suicide attempt I was BANNED from campus, only to be escorted back to collect my things. After being cleared by mental health professionals in my hometown, I am still not allowed to attend school there, because of a potential relapse. Mercyhurst, and all other universities, need to make students’ mental health a priority.
Good cause.
Thank you Makenzie :) everything you do matters. You’re a great role model and even better friend.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I think it would be amazing to become a JED campus. Resources reaching those in need is crucial at this point in our lives.