Raising Awareness
U-M groups host night for mental wellness
and to celebrate the late George Orley's life.
Cheyenne Stone I jewish@edu writer
U
niversity of Michigan students gath-
ered for a celebration on Sunday,
"Because the stigma associated with
issues of mental health is such a large
Dec. 6. However, this celebration
was not in honor of the holiday season or
societal issue, it isn't something you can
eliminate in one evening. That being said, if
the end of the semester. It was a celebra-
tion of life, in particular, the life of the late
our event showed a few students who are
struggling that we have groups like WSN
George Orley. During the summer of 2013,
on campus to support them, we're having a
George took his own life.
In response to the devastation, George's
positive impact."
Not only did the event raise more than
family created the George Orley Mental
Wellness Initiative (GOMWI), with goals to
$26,000 for the GOMWI with more coming
in, but it also raised awareness throughout
raise funds, offer family outreach, and raise
awareness to help ease the fear and isola-
the Greek and U-M community about the
importance of mental health and working
tion that mental illness brings. It also intends
together to shatter the stigma.
to create a supportive foundation financially
and in the community to help families feel
U-M sophomore Craig Motola, organizer
of the event, was pleased with the outcome.
embraced and to get answers to their ques-
tions as they go through a child's journey
"The fact that 450-plus members of the
Michigan community gathered together on a
toward mental wellness.
Titled "A Night for Mental Illness," the
Sunday night as finals approached is a true
testament to the impact of the event," he
said. "I could not be happier with the results
and how much everyone both enjoyed and
took away from this special night."
Linda Aikens, who works closely with
event was presented by fraternities Alpha
Epsilon Pi and Theta Chi in partnership with
the Wolverine Support Network. WSN is a
student organization that works to de-stig-
matize mental health through an inclusive
community.
The event included speeches from
George's friends, live and silent auctions,
a talk by Dr. Steven Strobbe of the U-M
psychiatry department and comedian Sam
Silverstein, a Michigan State University
sophomore.
One speaker, Max Unger, a master's
degree student, says, "It says a lot that we
had such a massive turnout [more than 450
people] and that the students who attended
were so actively engaged with the speakers
throughout the night. In terms of changing
the climate of mental health on campus, I
think that's more of a process than many
of us involved in pushing for change and
awareness would like to admit.
GOMWI and WSN, also spoke to the success
of the event.
"In this day and age, it was refreshing
to see the positive and important work
these young men are doing, especially with
the negative press that the fraternities are
getting," she said. "They researched and
worked hard to put together an event that
was heartwarming, serious and light all in
one evening."
It is important to remember that the
effects of the event did not end when the
night was over. The lessons that students
took away that night can assist in changing
the climate of mental health on campus.
George's mother, Diane Orley, said, "I
think everyone walked away with a strong
sense of how fragile our mental health can
be. I feel they left with good tools
to identify issues with themselves
or their peers to stay mentally
healthy." @
Cheyenne Stone of West Bloomfield
is a U-M senior and a director for
Wolverine Support Network. To donate
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While at the Riviera,
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Ask for them at
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GoBlueMentalHealth. An Initiative fun-
draiser for adults will be held 5:30-7:30
p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Townsend
Students gather to celebrate George
Orley's life and raise awareness
about mental health issues.
Hotel, Birmingham. WSN directors will
speak as well as an expert in the field.
The Riviera Cinema
30170 Grand River Ave
(off of 9 mile, just West of Middlebelt)
Farmington Hills, MI 48336
248-476-0060
therivieracinema.com
2041190
iN
December 24 2015
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