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Join Us for the March for Teen Life

Be a part of Suicide Prevention Movement Now!

📅 When: Sunday, October 13, 2024
📍 Where: Walnut Street Bridge, Harrisburg, PA (Park in City Island)
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

We are proud to announce the March for Teen Life, an event focused on de-stigmatizing mental health and promoting teen-on-teen support.

Mental health is an essential part of our well-being, but it’s often misunderstood or overlooked, especially among teens.

This march aims to raise awareness, encourage open conversations, and show that no one has to go through their struggles alone.

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Why Should You Join?

Join the Suicide Prevention Movement

Join us on October 13 to make a real difference for teen mental health and show your support for teens everywhere. Together, we can build a community of understanding and care. 💪

Sign Up Today!

Note: We are collecting your information solely to send reminders and updates for the March for Teen Life event.

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By coming together, we’re breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encouraging everyone to seek support without shame or fear.

De-stigmatize Mental Health

Teens are often the first to notice when their peers are struggling. This march will empower young people to support one another and be part of a caring, supportive community.

Promote Teen-on-Teen Support

Purpose of the March

🎗️Be a Voice for Change

Together, we can create an environment where teens feel safe to open up about their mental health.

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💬 Break the Stigma

Help change how mental health is viewed among teens and in the community.

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🤝 Show Support

Your participation shows teens they are not alone and that seeking help is a sign of strength.

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Event Details

📅 When: Sunday, October 13, 2024

📍 Where: Walnut Street Bridge, Harrisburg, PA

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

🍏 Snacks and Refreshments

Water and snacks will be provided for all participants.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Event

This is a family-friendly event, so feel free to invite others who care about supporting teens and mental health.

👟 Dress Comfortably

Wear comfortable shoes and bring any signs or banners to help spread the message.

📸 Photo Opportunities

Capture and share your participation on social media to help spread the message.

Join The Teen Suicide Prevention Movement

We all have a role in reducing these numbers, and we can take advantage of the plain facts, namely that no one knows more about teenage social dynamics than teenagers themselves. 

Together, we can empower students with the knowledge and tools they need to save lives.

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March for Teen Life: Location Details

Join us at the iconic Walnut Street Bridge (The People’s Bridge) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania—an ideal spot to come together and raise awareness for teen mental health.

Location: Walnut Street Bridge (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

Address:
N Front St & Walnut St,
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Parking: City Island

Walk: On Walnut Street Bridge from City Island to Font Road.

Join the Suicide Prevention Movement

Raise Awareness

Help change how mental health is viewed among teens and in the community.

Breast Cancer Awareness Race

Show Support

Your participation shows teens they are not alone and that seeking help is a sign of strength.

A Supportive Hug

Be a Voice for Change

Together, we can create an environment where teens feel safe to open up about their mental health.

Protesters

Promote Teen-on-teen Support

Empower teens to support one another and build a strong community of care.

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Where We'll March:
Iconic Walnut Street Bridge

Our march will take place at the historic Walnut Street Bridge (also known as The People’s Bridge) in Harrisburg, PA. 

Location: Walnut Street Bridge (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
Address:

N Front St & Walnut St,
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Parking: City Island

Walk: On Walnut Street Bridge from City Island to Font Road.

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Nived Lakshman

Organizer of March

Suicide Prevention Specialist

Nived Lakshman is a 17-year-old high school senior dedicated to raising awareness about teen suicide prevention and mental health.  Nived has been featured on platforms such as Fox 29 Philadelphia and DETV’s The Congo Hour, where he shared his mission to promote teen-on-teen support and bring mental health education into schools. His efforts are making a meaningful impact on empowering teens to support one another.

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Mental Health Advocate

Democratic Congressional Candidate

Janelle Stelson is running to represent Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Janelle is an Emmy Award–winning broadcast journalist, who has spent her life listening and talking directly to the people of Central Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Puget Sound and later moved to Harrisburg to join WHTM-TV as a Reporter and Weather Anchor. If elected, she will advocate for Congress to be an active player in the fight against the worst effects of climate change.

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AmandaGrace Krier

Youth Program Specialist

Youth MOVE National

AmandaGrace is a suicide loss survivor, person in active recovery, and a national content expert on youth peer support. As a fierce activist of “Nothing about us, without us” AmandaGrace hopes to continue to uplift youth voices advocating for themselves anywhere from the Doctors office to the Oval Office.

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Mandie  Burgess Gonzalez  

SOS Training Specialist

Youth MOVE PA

Mandie Burgess Gonzalez is a Sources of Strength Training Specialist for Youth Move PA, delivering suicide prevention and wellness programs to middle and high schools across Pennsylvania. She holds a bachelor's in public health from Cedar Crest College and is pursuing a master's in social work at Chamberlain University. A single mother of two adult sons, Mandie is passionate about bringing wellness and happiness to others. She is also certified in Yoga, Zumba, Circl, and Reiki, aiming to incorporate mindfulness and movement into her work.

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Founder, WillPower Foundation

Leslie Newbold, founder of WILLPOWER, is a dedicated mental health advocate and a suicide survivor after the tragic loss of her son, William Connor Newbold. Turning her grief into a mission, Leslie created WILLPOWER to honor William’s legacy and raise awareness about mental illness, fighting to end the stigma surrounding it. Through events like the WILLPOWER Walk + Talk / 5K Run, Leslie continues to inspire and support others, creating a community of hope and healing.

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Mental Health Advocate

Undergrad student, Temple University

Mekkai Williams led the charge for mental health advocates rallying at the state Capitol for House Bill 1367. This bill would require school coaches to take a mental health policy class and push the Departments of Education and Health to provide schools with essential mental health resources for students and staff. Mekkai’s leadership is paving the way for greater mental health awareness and support in schools.

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Mental Health Youth Advocate

Senior, Central Dauphin School District

Blessing has been a Mental Health Youth Advocate, educating and spreading awareness on mental health on the youth and students since sophomore of high school and is currently working with PA youth advocacy on a project to spread information on the topic. She is currently a senior at Central Dauphin High school, hoping to major in cognitive science and engage herself more in her community especially with people of color.

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Advocate for Change and Healing

Pastor of Joshua Harvest Church

Known as 'Pastor D' in the Wilmington, Delaware community, Pastor Derrick Johnson has presided over 316 murder victim funerals since 2004. As the pastor of Joshua Harvest Church, Pastor D is a powerful anti-violence advocate, deeply impacted by the gun violence plaguing his city. Pastor D devoted his life to God while serving his second prison sentence. Since then, he has been on the front lines, calling for change, healing, and salvation for all affected by violence.

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Advocate for Mental Health

The Honorable Councilman

Fred Green, a Chester native and youth advocate, began his activism at 11 after the tragic shooting of a young girl. Over the years, he has held various government roles, including leadership positions in youth programs. In 2020, he became the youngest member of the Chester Stormwater Authority Board and now serves as a City Councilman, continuing his commitment to uplifting the Chester community.

Our Speakers

Our Valued Supporters

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