Students help raise awareness in mental health fair

By Garrett Whaley

To raise awareness of depression, suicide, and several other mental illnesses facing teens, the Aevidum Club at Delaware Technical Community College Owens Campus organized a Mental Health Awareness Fair on Sept. 30.

Aevidum Club Advisor Jason Burlew said the Mental Health Awareness Fair was organized after their success at the Spread the Word to End the Word event in March.

“After the Spread the Word to End the Word event, a majority of local Sussex County-based nonprofits contacted us,” Burlew said. “We then organized the Mental Health Awareness Fair.”

The Spread the Word to End the Word campaign is an ongoing movement organized by the Special Olympics and Best Buddies to encourage people not to use the word, retarded, in a derogatory manner.

This was the first Mental Health Awareness Fair at Delaware Tech, Burlew said.

Aevidum Club representative and Radiology major Emily Buyer said the event was established to raise awareness of depression, suicide and other issues that teens face daily.

“The event was another way for students to know we are here for them,” Buyer said. “We want students to know that whatever they need, we are available.”

Human Services student Arely Barrera said the event was really inspiring.

“It’s always a great feeling when you see people rally together in support, especially students,” Barrera said.

“You never really know what someone may be going through on a daily basis,” Barrera said. “I definitely learned more than I anticipated.”