GUELPH, Ontario March 23, 2012 - University of Guelph - Student and multi-faith groups at the University of Guelph hope to raise awareness of depression, self-injury, addiction and suicide among youths through a discussion and musical performance in War Memorial Hall Sunday, 6:30 p.m.
The event will feature Jamie Tworkowski, founding director of the non-profit group To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA).
"A recent campaign on campus highlighted the fact that one in five people experience a mental health issue," said James VanderBerg of U of G’s Multi-Faith Resource Team.
"Depression, self-injury and suicide are, sadly, part of our everyday reality. Too often, though, we keep such things from coming up in conversation. An event like this pushes against that tendency. It gives us a chance to connect people with support groups and resources, and to bring the issues out in the open."
The event will include a talk and open discussion with Tworkowski, a musical performance by Noah Gunderson and a resource fair.
Tworkowski started TWLOHA in 2006 by writing about a friend’s struggle with depression and addiction. His article launched an online and social movement that led to the non-profit agency.
"We aim to connect people with help, to present facts about these issues, and, more than anything, to present hope creatively and tastefully," he said.
"We let people know it’s okay to talk about these things, and they're certainly not alone if they deal with these issues."
Tickets are $5 and are available at the information desk in the University Centre and at the event. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The event is sponsored by Counselling Services, Guelph Campus Ministry, Student Support Network, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Multi-Faith Resource Team, Power to Change, Student Affairs, the Wellness Centre and several U of G colleges.
