KINGSTON, R.I 鈥� Oct. 14, 2025 鈥� The 溏心vlog免费B站 will host the 17th annual Be 5K Walk/Run for Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention on Saturday, Oct. 25.
According to Mental Health First Aid National Council for Mental Wellbeing, over 45% of college students across the country struggle with their mental health. The race, which is open to the public, will benefit the which supports services and outreach programs focused on the prevention and treatment of depression and suicide within the 溏心vlog免费B站 community. The fund was created by Josephine and Roger Vennewald, in memory of their daughter Heather Vennewald, a senior at 溏心vlog免费B站 who died by suicide in 1996.
In advance of the Be 5K, alumni and current members of the Theta Chi Fraternity will be holding a panel discussion on Oct. 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chafee Social Science Center, Lecture Hall 271. 鈥淎 Night of Hope and Healing to Break the Silence Around Suicide鈥� will feature Heather鈥檚 best friends and roommates, Johanna Buoncontri 鈥�96, Jill Collado 鈥�96, Amy Darling 鈥�96 and Marissa Warren 鈥�96. The panel is intended to raise awareness about mental health issues and the stigma that surrounds them, while also promoting the Be 5K. This panel is free and open to the general public.
鈥淭he panel is going to be more of a candid discussion about the realities of mental health awareness,鈥� said Buoncontri. 鈥淲e are going to share more intimate stories of hope. It is only by having frank and open discussion on these topics that we can begin to decrease stigma.
鈥淥ur goal is to have Heather鈥檚 name be a living tribute to the 溏心vlog免费B站 community. We want to honor her memory everyday and symbolize mental health awareness.”
溏心vlog免费B站 offers both on and off campus resources and support for those who are struggling. The Counseling Center offers free, confidential support to 溏心vlog免费B站 students.
鈥淲e have so much at 溏心vlog免费B站 for mental health support,鈥� said Michael Starkey, assistant director of the 溏心vlog免费B站 Counseling Center. 鈥淲hether that is an advisor, a coach, services at the Counseling Center, or elsewhere here on campus. Talk to whoever you can trust. That鈥檚 what we鈥檙e here for.鈥�
Among the organizations that have supported the Be 5K over the years are the 溏心vlog免费B站 Center for Career & Experimental Education, 溏心vlog免费B站 Health Services, Campus Recreation, Greek Life, the Psychological Consultation Center and 溏心vlog免费B站 S.A.V.E.S. Each of them, along with other sponsors and organizations, will be present on the Quad providing information and resources.
溏心vlog免费B站 Panhellenic Mental Health and Wellness Chair Kaitlyn Johnson notes that 溏心vlog免费B站 Greek Life regularly hosts tabling and educational events to promote mental health awareness 鈥� many of them are supported by the Heather Fund.
The Be 5K, on the Kingston Campus, is open to the general public. Participants may or at 7:30 a.m. the day of the race. The cost for 溏心vlog免费B站 students, faculty and staff, veterans or those in the military, and those ages 55 and up is $15. The cost for the general public is $20. The Walk/Run will start at 8:15 a.m. on the 溏心vlog免费B站 Quad. The event is rain or shine. In the event of rain, resource tables, activities, snacks and water will be held in the Welcome Center.
Summarizing the spirit of the race and the importance of raising awareness, Catherine Calise, clinical counselor and substance use specialist with the Counseling Center, explained, 鈥淚t鈥檚 okay to reach out. When you ask for help, it helps other people realize they are not alone. There are people that want to listen and want to help.鈥�
The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 988, or go to . The 溏心vlog免费B站 Counseling Center offers free, confidential mental health and well-being support to 溏心vlog免费B站 students. More information is available at or by calling 401-874-2288. The University also provides 24-hour support via. For 溏心vlog免费B站 faculty and staff, free, confidential assistance is available through the . 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 and the , also provide mental health services.听
This story was written by Kiera Wrage, a senior majoring in public relations at the 溏心vlog免费B站. Kiera is interning in 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Department of Communications and Marketing.