January 5th, 2023
Emma Benoit will present to regional middle-schoolers, high-schoolers January 9-13
MANKATO—Greater Mankato Area United Way is bringing suicide prevention advocate Emma Benoit back to the Mankato area January 9 through 13 to present at middle schools and high schools throughout the region, including Dakota Meadows, Lake Crystal & Nicollet (combined), New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva, Prairie Winds, and Waseca.
Students will watch Benoit’s documentary “My Ascension” and have the opportunity to take part in a Q&A with Benoit and others. Support and resources will be available.
Now 22, Benoit became dedicated to suicide prevention after surviving a suicide attempt as a 16-year-old. Her attempt resulted in a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed but helped her find faith and purpose, propelling her on a mission to use her painful experience and miraculous recovery to help others. Visit My Ascension to learn more about the film.
Benoit’s presentations are made possible through the generous support of various community members, businesses and schools.
This is Benoit’s third trip to the area. Based in Louisiana, she gave Mankato presentations in September through a partnership between the Mel & Todd Hoffner family and Greater Mankato Area United Way.
Since then, United Way has received many inquiries from community members and school leaders on having further opportunities to hear Benoit speak.
“Our community has embraced Emma’s message on suicide prevention,” said Greater Mankato Area United Way CEO Barb Kaus. “It has been incredible to see the effect of Emma’s presentation on young people in particular as they have been directly impacted and line up to speak with her personally afterward. We are grateful to everyone who has stepped forward to make this important initiative possible.”
Suicide prevention aligns with Greater Mankato Area United Way’s mission to convene the community around important issues and improve lives in the region.
Crisis Support: If you or someone you know needs help, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line.