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Building Stronger Communities: Bellevue College & KBCS Collaborate for Mental Health Awareness

At Bellevue College, students and the community benefit from the collaboration between dedicated faculty and staff members like Steve Martel and Tamara Boynton Howard. Both of whom play a vital role in promoting mental health and wellness on campus. 91.3 KBCS Mental Health awareness reports.

The image features two speech bubbles: one in purple saying “LET’S TALK” and another in yellow with the words “MENTAL HEALTH.” The 91.3 KBCS logo appears prominently in the bottom left corner, alongside the Bellevue College logo. Beneath the logos, a short text reads:

“National Suicide Prevention Month
Here are a few ways to combat depression
From your neighbors here at KBCS & Bellevue College.”

The message encourages mental health discussions and highlights National Suicide Prevention Month. It invites the audience to engage in dialogue and emphasizes community support.

Bellevue College’s Student Counseling Center

Steve Martel, Bellevue College’s Student Counselor & Professor, is an advocate for mental health support through student-centered initiatives. He works closely with the college’s Counseling Center, offering programs like the Quarterly Destress Events. Quarterly Destress Events are where students can engage in healing activities designed to reduce stress and promote emotional well-being.

The image is a poster for September Suicide Prevention Month. The poster informs viewers about warning signs of suicide, emphasizing the importance of recognizing changes in behavior, feelings of hopelessness, or expressions of wanting to die. It also highlights protective factors against suicide, such as support from friends, family, and community, and the availability of quality healthcare.

The poster offers 24/7 crisis support information, including:

	•	Crisis Connections (24-hour crisis support via phone at 988)
	•	Crisis Text Line (Text “HEAL” to 741741 for support)

Additionally, it promotes Bellevue College Resources, mentioning free and confidential mental health services, drop-in crisis counseling, and the availability of support for students in emotional distress.

This resource encourages individuals to be proactive in recognizing signs of crisis and seeking support through the resources provided.

Bellevue College’s Health Promotion Management (HPM) HUB

Tamara Boynton Howard is Bellevue College’s Health Promotion & Education Associate Professor and Program Chair. Similarly as Steve, she is deeply committed to raising awareness about mental health and community wellness. She has spearheaded impactful projects to promote health education and mental wellness on campus. One of her recent initiatives, Crafting for a Cause, is a part of October’s Suicide Prevention Month efforts. This event, held in the Health Promotion Management (HPM) HUB, provides a space for students and the Bellevue Community to create health awareness ribbons and buttons to support various causes. Crafting for a Cause will take place on October 15, 2024, and will offer free snacks and drinks. 

The image titled “Crafting for a Cause” features an invitation to join Bellevue College’s October Health Awareness Ribbons and Button Making Party. The event offers free entry along with snacks and drinks. The visuals show ribbons in various colors, including orange and teal, symbolizing different health causes, and buttons with motivational words like “warrior” and “your life matters.” The event details include the date: October 15, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the T Building, 2nd Floor, in the HPM Hub at Bellevue College. The poster also emphasizes Bellevue College’s commitment to non-discrimination.

At 91.3 KBCS Mental Health awareness is important and we are proud to collaborate with Bellevue College faculty members like Steve and Tamara who share a commitment to planting the seeds for a better future. Their efforts align with KBCS’s mission to foster a connected and informed community. As we continue to support important mental health initiatives, we invite you to join us in supporting KBCS by donating to keep these collaborations thriving and helping us continue to bring relevant programming to the airwaves.

Donate today to KBCS 91.3 and help us amplify the voices and stories that matter most to our community!

The image shows a red keyboard key labeled “Donate” with a heart symbol next to it. A finger is poised to press the key. This image serves as a button; clicking it will take you to the KBCS Donate page at https://www.kbcs.fm/donate/.