The University of Rhode Island campus was dotted with runners in matching yellow shirts on Saturday morning as participants ran the 16th annual B5K for suicide and mental health awareness.
The 5K had 220 participants, their largest turnout yet, according to the URI Counseling Center. The crowd of runners and walkers consisted of students, staff, community members and even dogs.
“It was a great way to bring those in the community together for a great cause,” second-year Emily Morgan said. “It was a really good way to start off the weekend.”
Along the course, volunteers cheered for runners and walkers alike, holding up signs with arrows on them for participants to follow.
“It was fun running around campus and just hearing everyone cheering,” Morgan said.
Some onlookers brought signs or their families out to support the cause. Giant games of Jenga and bubble blowing mechanisms were available on the quad for those not running, while many supporters played in the grass with dogs brought to the event.
A number of other school organizations were in attendance, including URI Campus Recreation. Local businesses also set up tables at the event.
The run, organized by the URI Counseling Center, gave all proceeds to The Heather Fund. The Heather Fund was created in 1996 in memory of URI student Heather Vennewald who was lost to suicide.
Vennewald’s friends and family attended the event to support the cause, said Kelsie Foster, a multicultural specialist at the counseling center.
“I think [Vennewald’s friends] gave a really powerful testimonial in terms of knowing her,” Foster said. “They’re always asked, ‘were there ever signs?’ It’s like no, there weren’t any signs.”
Sunflower cutouts made of yellow paper were strung around the registration tent with the names of who participants were running for written on them. Runners, walkers and volunteers wore yellow shirts with the phrase “I’m an advocate for mental health” on the front.
“A lot of us have mental health concerns at different points in our lives,” Foster said. “That doesn’t mean it’s forever.”
One in five adults in Rhode Island experience mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness . As of February 2021, 106 lives had been lost to suicide in Rhode Island the previous year.
Among college students, mental health issues are more pervasive. More than 60% of college students meet the criteria for a mental health problem, according to a survey by Healthy Minds . The study also reported that 15% of students said they were considering suicide.
URI participated in the survey during the 2023-2024 circulation, according to Healthy Minds. Over 90,000 students participated in the survey from 133 United States college campuses.
URI Counseling Center staff, like Foster, urged students to ask for mental health support if needed.
“Asking for help is a sign of strength,” Foster said. “I think it helps to normalize [mental illness].”
The URI Counseling Center offers counseling services, support groups and referrals to off-campus resources. Those in immediate crisis can call 988 for support.