Rowan holds 8th annual Profs for a Purpose Suicide Prevention Walk

The Rowan University community took a big collective step toward mental health and wellness May 3 with the 8^th annual Profs for a Purpose Suicide Prevention Walk.

Drawing more than 150 participants and raising more than $7,000, the 1.5-mile campus walk included four activity stops along the way from Wilson Hall, around Engineering Hall, back through Meditation Walk and over to Robinson Circle.

The event, held each spring as part of Mental Health Awareness Month, was intended to help reduce stigma associated with mental illness, support survivors of suicide loss and promote help-seeking behavior, resources and support, such as those offered by Rowan’s campus Wellness Center.

“This annual and growing event brings together members of the Rowan community, neighboring communities, and our campus partners,” said Brittany Auleta, assistant director of Well-Being Programming & Communication, who co-chaired the event with Assistant Director for Well-being Dr. Lindsay Johnson.

The program featured comments by Dr. James George on the importance of hope and the positive impacts art has had on his life. George, who was severely injured following a fall in his home, last year provided funding to help launch the George Family Center for Healing Arts.

Rowan students experiencing a mental health crisis are urged to call the Wellness Center at 856-256-4333 and follow the prompts to speak with the on-call counselor, or to call Rowan Police at 856-256-4911 and ask to speak to the counselor on-call. 

Additional support available to Rowan students includes free, twice a week, 30-minute counseling sessions through a partnership with Uwill, a mental health and wellness provider.

Anyone seeking immediate, non-emergency support may also call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.