Post Classifieds
Walk encourages supporters
Community donates to national cause
By Jennifer Waters
On September 19, 2012
As part of the initiative Buffalo State Cares, a team from the counseling center gathered
with local community groups and members in Delaware Park on Saturday morning to
raise awareness about the victims of suicide.
The annual walk, titled "Out of the Darkness," raises money to fund education programs
to help reduce the number of lives lost to suicide each year.
"What we're doing is trying to raise awareness and pass out information about what has
been done," said Wendell Rivera, Counseling Center team captain and senior counselor.
The money raised will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which
Rivera said is at the forefront of research, education and prevention initiatives designed
to reduce loss of life from suicide.
Buffalo State has introduced its own program called Question, Persuade, Refer, meant
to train students to recognize warning signs of those at risk and refer them to help, also
part of Buffalo State Cares.
"It is a call to bystanders to help prevent suicide on our campus," Counseling Center
Director Joan McCool said.
The AFSP estimates that 36,000 lives are lost to suicide each year in the U.S.
Prevention walks help gain a better understanding of suicide and ways to prevent it as
well as honoring lost loved ones and survivors of suicide.
Colleges around the country gather on the day of the event to show their support for
those affected in their own community, including students from Buffalo State.
"We need to bring more awareness to the issue and the prevention of suicide," said walk
participant and Buffalo State student Steve Lango.
Lango was in the Air Force before coming to Buffalo State and is a crisis services
counselor studying social work.
"This is only my first year walking but it's something I definitely want to do again," Lango
said.
Among the organizations there to show support and to donate to the cause were
members of the Buffalo State chapter of Delta Beta Chi.
"We're always looking for something important to get involved with, and as a group
we've been affected by suicide in the past," DBX member Mike Dupere said.
DBX President Adam Ramos said he believes suicide is terrible because of the
helplessness victims experience, and said progress comes through support and
solidarity.
"Being here to support is our main thing," said Ramos, acknowledging that his
organization's visibility was a bonus. "It's always nice to do a variety of events and show
that we're a well-rounded organization and a group of good guys."
The Out of the Darkness walk was the final event in the Counseling Center's Suicide
Prevention week, held Sept. 10 through Sept. 15. The week aimed to raise awareness
and reduce stigma about depression and suicide on campus, McCool said.
Jennifer Waters can be reached by email at waters.record@live.com.
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