During Suicide Prevention Month in September, Melissa Coleman, BSN, RN, led impactful efforts to support youth mental health in her community in McDowell County.
As a WVU School of Nursing-trained Faith Community Nurse, Coleman helped organize the Silent Suicide Walk in Iaeger, alongside students from the Riverview High School SADD Club. Together, they helped raise awareness and fostered dialogue around suicide prevention.
"Our youth are our future,” Coleman said. “We must continue to spread awareness and let them know that their lives matter.”
As part of the event, Coleman delivered a presentation on the warning signs of suicide and strategies for prevention, equipping students with knowledge and resources to support themselves and their peers.
“Melissa’s work exemplifies the heart of community-based nursing — meeting people where they are and addressing critical health issues with compassion and expertise,” said Dr. Angel Smothers, Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Director of the Faith Community Nursing Program at the WVU School of Nursing.
Coleman’s work is made possible through generous support from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Fund, which continues to invest in grassroots efforts that promote mental health and well-being in rural communities.
“The Sisters of St. Joseph have a proud history of healing in West Virginia through our commitment to nursing and healthcare since 1863,” said Beth Collins, Executive Director for the Sisters of St Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation. “We celebrate WVU’s Faith Community Nursing program for carrying that same mission forward by reaching youth with care that touches body, mind, and spirit. This program is shaping a healthier, more hopeful future for our communities.”
For more information about Faith Community Nursing efforts, please contact Dr. Angel Smothers at asmothers@hsc.wvu.edu.
Donations like the ones from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation are awarded via the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
If you are interested in making a donation to this or any other program at the WVU School of Nursing, please contact Dr. Kimberly Colebank, Development Director, at kcolebank@wvuf.org or 304-554-0237.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu
