New bench at USF focuses on psychological well being
FOX 13’s Jennifer Kveglis highlights a USF pupil who introduced a 988 Suicide Prevention bench to the varsity’s Greek Village to lift consciousness about psychological well being assets and let individuals know they aren’t alone.
TAMPA, Fla. – A USF pupil introduced a 988 Suicide Prevention bench to the varsity’s Greek Village to lift consciousness about psychological well being assets.
Pagán dedicating the 988 Suicide Prevention bench on USF’s campus, which is supposed to lift consciousness about psychological well being assets.
Julia Pagán is a Senior at USF and a member of the Delta Gamma sorority on campus.
Pagán stated she would not have sufficient fingers to depend how many individuals she’s misplaced to suicide.
The backstory:
“I’ve misplaced a number of mates to suicide all through my life. My first was in elementary college,” Pagán stated. “After coming to USF, my first 12 months right here, there was one other one, and one other one. I wished to do extra.”
Crowd of supporters with Julia Pagán as she unveiled the 988 Suicide Prevention bench on USF’s campus, which is supposed to lift consciousness about psychological well being assets.
In 2022, Pagán launched “Be the Gentle, Working to Finish The Stigma Surrounding Psychological Well being.”
“I’ve had my very own battle with psychological well being, melancholy, and nervousness,” stated Pagán.
Native perspective:
It began as a social media platform with infographics and phrases of encouragement.
“I’ve had individuals attain out to me by my group and have them inform me that I’ve helped them keep. I’ve helped them discover group whether or not they have been going by a battle themselves or they misplaced a pal,” stated Pagán.
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Pagán additionally launched a clothes line – with a function.
“Individuals suppose that it isn’t okay to ask for assist. It isn’t okay to go to remedy. There is a actually huge stigma round males’s psychological well being,” stated Pagán. “I’ve largely misplaced males to suicide, which is what actually pushed me to do that.”
Dig deeper:
Final semester, Pagán introduced these efforts to campus and began “Be The Gentle USF.”
“In faculty, it is extra of you are at a degree in your life with so many adjustments. You are away from dwelling. New pal teams, new circles,” stated Pagán. “All of these adjustments, together with stress and nervousness, is a serious difficulty that may result in psychological well being points.”
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On Wednesday, she unveiled a yellow ‘Josh’s Bench’ in Greek Village with dozens of supporters.
988 Suicide Prevention bench at USF’s Greek Village, which is supposed to lift consciousness about psychological well being assets.
“The objective of this bench is an emblem that you’re not alone, and there are assets out there,” stated Pagán.
Joshes Benches is a non-profit began by a mother who misplaced her son to suicide, intending to put in consciousness benches in public areas.
Every one has a custom-made plaque and the 988 Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline engraved.
Massive image view:
Pagán hopes her group, and the bench, will assist individuals of all ages battling psychological well being really feel much less alone.
Josh’s bench for consciousness pin.
“It’s a bench, however there’s much more energy and which means behind it. Creating this group is essential to me,” Pagán stated. “We take care of you. There are brighter days forward.”
In case you or somebody you already know is battling psychological well being, click on right here.
The Supply: FOX 13’s Jennifer Kveglis collected the data on this story.
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