Testimonials

Student
Quinnipiac University

“I personally know someone who has attempted suicide. Now I have the resources to help her”

Student

Student
University of New Hampshire

"As someone whose mental health had limited my life for some time, I want you to know that these things change lives. Your event made people feel valued and important and cared about. You may never hear thank you from everyone that today changed their life but I can promise you our campus is a safe place because of Fresh Check Day"

Student

Sharon Guck
Substance Abuse and Prevention Program Coordinator
Western Connecticut State University

“I have worked in higher education for 12 years and in prevention for 25 years. Fresh Check Day is the best prevention program I have ever worked with - From the content, to the procedures, the staff, the whole operation is top notch.”

Sharon Guck

Dawn V. Cathey
University Assistant, Dean of Student Affairs
Southern Connecticut State University

I am completely blown away by the success of Southern's Fresh Check event! The peer to peer connection was more powerful than I had imagined. Our campus is truly so caring and an event like this reminds me of how important it is for faculty, staff and students to set aside some time to care for each other. We ALL deserve it!

Dawn V. Cathey

Barry A. Schreier, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Training and Staff Psychologist, Counseling and Psychological Services
Princeton University

The beauty of Fresh Check is it provides participants the opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves, whether they are attending Fresh Check or planning Fresh Check. Being able to positively identify with something bigger than oneself is one of the most important protective factors we have in suicide prevention.

Barry A. Schreier, Ph.D.

Mercy Arias, Psy.D.
Director, Counseling and Psychological Services
Eastern Connecticut State University

I remember meeting Marisa and Ernie one summer morning as they happened to be attending a suicide prevention training sponsored by Eastern. They made their way to my office that morning, and what I thought was going to be a ten minute encounter, turned into a three hour meeting and the birth of Fresh Check Day. It was clear to me after this meeting that I wanted to carry out the JMPMF vision and assist with launching Fresh Check Day at Eastern. The foundation’s mission of promoting mental health and not mental illness resonated with me and I knew that it would be impactful to our students. We felt honored and terrified at the same time to be bestowed this honor of hosting the first Fresh Check Day. However, we found that the event allowed us to reach our students in a positive way, give them the tools they needed to deal with life and stressors, and build a community of support. Our students had an overwhelming positive response to our two-day event and, as a result, helped many students in need of services. I have no doubt that Fresh Check Day will continue to impact many lives and young adults in a positive way.

Mercy Arias, Psy.D.

Dr. John Petillo
President
Sacred Heart University

I think having an event like this, especially with the turnout, shows the students’ interest in health and all the different opportunities they have to seek guidance… I think it’s a great opportunity.

Dr. John Petillo

Elizabeth J. Cracco, Ph.D.
Director Counseling and Mental Health Services
University of Connecticut

Bringing Fresh Check Day to UConn was honestly at first an exercise in faith. We had met Ernie and Marisa and heard their story, but weren’t exactly sure how things would translate to UConn as we were only the second college campus to sponsor the event. In the end we couldn’t have asked for a better process and product. The support we received from the Foundation was tremendous! Most importantly however, the event itself carries a wave of momentum and positive spirit that I believe allows students to participate, share and reflect upon issues in an incredibly healthy and community-oriented way. It wasn’t until we read the evaluations however that we realized the true impact of the project. Students felt that UConn specifically cared for them, and most importantly, students felt able to get help. We have no doubt that this event saves lives (we have heard specific stories to evidence this) and in the end our faith was incredibly well-placed.

Elizabeth J. Cracco, Ph.D.

Student
University of Connecticut

It’s important to check in with yourself and your friends/peers. It doesn’t take much effort and it could save someone’s life.

Student

Tevin James
Student
Southern Connecticut State University

I think it's a great event. I think you should have things like this on campus a lot. You feel more connected on campus - so thank you.

Tevin James