My name is Victoria Bennis and I am a senior at North Carolina State University. My freshman year of college I lost a close friend of mine to suicide. We dated for over a year and his death has significantly impacted me. After a year of grieving, I then lost my sixteen year old brother, John, to suicide during my junior year in college. His death has inspired me to help other children because if I can not change the past then I will definitely make a difference in the future.

This past year, I have assisted in the organization of the Youth Awareness and Prevention Committee at Green Hope High School. Our goal is to raise awareness about the problems of teen suicide, educate the community about possible solutions and remove barriers that separate suicidal teens from help.

Due to my involvement in suicide prevention in the local community, I was asked by the North Carolina Division of Public Health, Injury and Violence Prevention Branch to serve as a college student representative on their Advisory Council.

Together we will make more people aware and prepared if they are ever in a suicidal situation themselves or with another individual.