The Daemen community, along with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, held the fifth annual Walk for Jenny on October 8 to shine a beacon of hope in remembrance of former student Jennifer “Jenny” McAlmont. 
Dr. Kerry Spicer, vice president of Student Affairs, reminded attendees that they’re never alone, adding, “Students, you are our purpose. You are the reason why we are here.”
She encouraged students to take a minute and connect with each other. “It’s very easy for us to leave our class, leave our space, and just look at our phone. That connection is needed and necessary,” she said. 
As Jenny’s mother, Lois Foster, shared vivid memories of her daughter, she also reminded students to be advocates for each other. “If you take anything from this story, it’s that you will just embrace your mental health and look out for one another,” she said.
Spicer and Foster led the walk to the Jennifer “Jenny” McAlmont Reflection Garden, located between campus apartments 101 and 76, where participants placed purple pinwheels in honor of those impacted by suicide to signify hope, remembrance, and love.
Daemen Athletics prioritizes student-athlete mental health and wellness initiatives and actively participates in the Walk for Jenny and Morgan’s Message, an organization dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health particularly within the student-athlete community.
Daemen’s CHIP Center offers free, confidential in-person or virtual counseling services for students. Appointments can be booked online.
The 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline, comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, offers 24/7 call, text, and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help those experiencing emotional distress.