Next Friday, March 3, 2023, Stevens will serve as the inaugural site for the Jed Foundation’s (JED’s) Neon Nights benefit. JED is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing suicide and protecting the emotional health of teens and young adults. According to the CDC, suicide is the third leading cause of death in 10 to 34 year olds nationwide, making the work of JED and Stevens students, such as Jenna Giesecke and Alicia Zajac, especially impactful.
From 7 to 10 p.m., students, staff, and faculty are invited to illuminate Stevens’ campus for mental health awareness. The night will open with speakers Adelle Caballero, Traffic Anchor for NBC4 New York’s Today in New York, and Stevens student Drew Carranti, voicing their lived mental health journeys. Opening remarks will be followed by a glow-in-the-dark parade through campus where volunteers and sponsors will be distributing free neon-colored apparel at “Glow Zones” stations adorning the parade’s route. The night will culminate in a neon-themed dance party—complete with black lights, a DJ, photos, and food—where each student will have the opportunity to “shine bright.”
Dr. Thea Zunick, Senior Manager of Community Engagement at JED and Project Manager of Neon Nights reported, “While the overarching goal is to raise money for the life-saving work that JED does every day, it was also essential for us to help students normalize conversations surrounding mental health.” Dr. Zunick pointed to the statistic that 70% of college students in New Jersey report experiencing higher levels of anxiety than a year ago, emphasizing the notion that post-pandemic, young adults need support more than ever.
Dr. Eric Rose, Executive Director of Wellness and Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, describes the Neon Nights benefit as “a chance for students to feel empowered — to do something tangible to support mental health for folks their age.” In the treatment of mental health, tangibility and visibility are hard to come by, but dedicated Stevens students, alongside JED, have been working to overcome this challenge and empower those suffering. What stands out the most to Dr. Rose is “how positively involved and engaged the students on the planning committee have been.” Dr. Zunick echoed, “This generation, specifically Generation Z, is poised to drive meaningful change. They believe in their individual power to make a difference, but they also demand that the organizations they are within do their part in building a better future.” Rose summarized, “Neon Nights is not only done by college students, it’s done for college students.”
Stevens’ Neon Nights Glow Chair, Jenna Giesecke, has been overseeing the event’s coordination. The lead student coordinator has made quick work of tight deadlines and expressed gratitude for all of the student executive team’s hard work. Giesecke said that “The Jed Foundation wants to bring Neon Nights around college campuses across the country, beginning with Stevens,” and emphasized that Stevens’ Neon Nights benefit will be the first of its kind. JED’s subsequent Neon Nights initiatives will take place at the University of Tampa and Ithaca College, reported Giesecke, who strives to set Steven’s precedential bar high.
Alicia Zajac, Stevens’ Neon Nights Logistics Chair, recalls her lived mental health journey as a major contributing factor to her dedication to the initiative. “When I first came to Stevens, I had my own personal mental health struggles. I was lucky enough to have such amazing resources available such as Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and I am extremely grateful for the people who helped me along the way.” Zajac has since gone on to receive her mental health first aid certification and become a Peer Educator for CAPS. Zajac said, “My main goal is to have this fundraiser help those who are struggling, and give them hope that things will improve.” Personal connection and an investment in mental health is a common theme with Rose, Zunick, Giesecke and Zajac. These passionate leaders were all drawn to JED — a foundation founded by dedicated parents who lost their son to suicide in 1998. Passion invites passion.
Giesecke emphasized that “protecting our mental health allows us to access our true potential.” Students who wish to get involved are highly encouraged to register for the Neon Night Benefit online at neonnights.org. Fundraising is open now, with multiple Greek organizations, sports teams, and clubs already competing to claim their spot on the leaderboard. Help raise awareness for suicide prevention and make mental and emotional health more visible by illuminating Stevens campus next Friday.
