Mental Health Resource Fair And Suicide Prevention Film At Allan Hancock College
Jarrod Zinn
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Allan Hancock College worked with Transitions – Mental Health Association, or TMHA, to provide a mental wellness resource fair and free public film screening of a suicide prevention documentary on the Santa Maria campus Wednesday evening.
“I know that depression and anxiety have definitely increased since the pandemic, especially amongst youth,” says Sandy Rives with TMHA.
The resource fair came with coffee, therapists and support services on hand, plus a special raffle, prizes for which included tickets to PCPA’s upcoming production of ‘Every Brilliant Thing,’ which touches on depression and suicide.
“Most people who attempt or die by suicide have a diagnosable mental health condition or are experiencing mental health signs and symptoms,” says Rives. “So there’s opportunity for people to intervene.”
A powerful documentary film called ‘My Ascension,’ the story of Emma Benoit, a suicide survivor now living with paralysis using her own struggle to help others, was screened free of charge for the public at the Boyd Concert Hall.
“In the in the film you will see her in physical therapy and you will see she was actually able to walk at her graduation,” says Rives. “And so, yes, she’s definitely made some big strides in her recovery.”
According to the World Health Organization, mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety are the leading cause of illness and disability, especially in young adults.
The organization says suicide is the third leading cause of death among those ages 15-29 years-old.
“I’m really grateful for TMHA to be in our community here in Santa Maria,” says Jenna Reyes, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with TMHA. “We have such a plethora of services available to our community members. Know that there’s help here in our in our town. And we’re just one call away, one text away.”
The resource fair remained open after the film in anticipation of the movie’s affect on anyone who is struggling, and may have been more motivated to seek services.
The National Suicide and Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for anyone struggling, by dialing 988.
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