August 5th, 2022
MANKATO—United Way invites community members to a documentary film screening and panel on suicide prevention Saturday, September 17 at 4:30 p.m. at East High School.
Speaker Emma Benoit will share the documentary about her suicide attempt, My Ascension, and speak on a panel following the screening. The film is part of Benoit’s nationwide efforts to spread hope and fight suicide.
The event is hosted by Greater Mankato Area United Way and is sponsored by the Todd and Mel Hoffner family.
Contact United Way at 507-345-4551 for more information about this free event.
The panel will include Benoit, Mel Hoffner and others who have been impacted by suicide. Support and resources will be available at the event.
Benoit also will be speaking to high school students at Mankato West and Mankato East later in September. The events are part of United Way’s mission to convene the community around important issues.
“We are grateful to Mel and the Hoffner family for approaching United Way on the urgency of suicide prevention,” said United Way CEO Barb Kaus. “United Way’s goal is to be at the forefront of important issues facing our region as we convene leaders and community members to create awareness, solutions and change.”
Community members are also invited to take part in the Out of Darkness Walk earlier in the day on September 17 at 11 a.m. at Sibley Park, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
About Emma:
Emma Benoit became extremely passionate about suicide prevention after surviving a suicide attempt in 2017, the summer before her senior year in high school. At the time, she was a popular varsity cheerleader with a supportive family and lots of friends, but on the inside, she was filled with depression and anxiety, and had never told a soul about it. Her attempt resulted in a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed but helped her find faith and purpose; and propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience and miraculous recovery to help others. Visit Emma’s website at MyAscension.us.
Crisis Support:
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text Line HELLO to 741741.