Gloucester County Tech students reach out to one another
Toni Terpolilli, a cosmetology teacher at Gloucester County Institute of Technology, lost her nephew Anthony DeFulio Jr. when he committed suicide in May 2006. After witnessing the devastation and pain that his death caused in her family, she knew she wanted to take action in her own school.
“It was the worst day of my life. After it happened, I couldn’t get a grip on why,” Terpolilli said, recalling the tragic event.
Her nephew was 20 years old when he died.
“I talked to counselors and decided I wanted to tell kids about the recourses available to them,” Terpolilli said. “I wanted the kids to know that there are other options, because suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem,” she said.
Because of Terpolilli’s efforts, students at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology collaborated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention of New Jersey to create an awareness campaign in the school.
Through the efforts of Terpolilli, a core group of about seven students, who are also involved in the school’s chapter of the Skills USA national leadership organization, are waging the campaign for their peers.
In 2008 the group held an assembly that featured dramatic monologues, recited by students interested in theater, that highlighted key mental health issues in teenagers, such as depression, bullying, drugs, alcohol and suicide.
After the assembly, counselors were available to take questions from students. “I think it was well-received by the students,” Terpolilli said. “Presenting something like that is a difficult topic, but I think the way it was done related to students and went over well.”
In addition, the group has provided resources on suicide prevention, held talent shows to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention of New Jersey and sold blue and white silicone bracelets bearing the inscription, “Be Aware — People Do Care.”
Proceeds went to the foundation to raise money for suicide research and awareness efforts.
In July, the Gloucester County Freeholders recognized the work of Terpolilli and her students with a certificate honoring the school’s suicide awareness and prevention program.
“It feels good to help others though it’s very emotional. If we can help other people find help, that’s great,” Terpolilli said.
Last year, two busloads of teachers, staff and teens involved in the suicide awareness campaign traveled to an “Out of the Darkness” walk in New Brunswick that was sponsored by the foundation. A walk will be held there this year on Oct. 4.
On Oct. 25, Gloucester County Institute of Technology will host the first southern New Jersey’s “Out of the Darkness” walk.
The institute will work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention New Jersey Chapter to facilitate the event. Registration can be made by mail or phone, as well as online, by visiting www.outofthedarkness.org.
Terpolilli hopes to hold another assembly on mental health awareness and suicide prevention in the upcoming school year.
Jessica Covici, 18, a senior cosmetology student from Glassboro, was one of the original students to work on the project and travel to the New Brunswick walk.
“We wanted to get out there and tell people who are in need of help, or have a friend who needs help, that they can get the help that they need and talk about their problems,” Covici said.
New Jersey area director for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Cora Manzo said since 1992 the foundation has educated schools and staff on suicide prevention and has been available to school districts and communities in need of support.
The foundation was present at Gloucester Institute of Technology’s schoolwide assembly to speak to students.
“For the assembly, they actually made their own handouts with suicide prevention hotline numbers and did a phenomenal job reaching out to their peers. They are doing a phenomenal job raising awareness and funding for our cause,” Manzo said.
“It was the worst day of my life. After it happened, I couldn’t get a grip on why,” Terpolilli said, recalling the tragic event.
Her nephew was 20 years old when he died.
“I talked to counselors and decided I wanted to tell kids about the recourses available to them,” Terpolilli said. “I wanted the kids to know that there are other options, because suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem,” she said.
Because of Terpolilli’s efforts, students at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology collaborated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention of New Jersey to create an awareness campaign in the school.
Through the efforts of Terpolilli, a core group of about seven students, who are also involved in the school’s chapter of the Skills USA national leadership organization, are waging the campaign for their peers.
In 2008 the group held an assembly that featured dramatic monologues, recited by students interested in theater, that highlighted key mental health issues in teenagers, such as depression, bullying, drugs, alcohol and suicide.
After the assembly, counselors were available to take questions from students. “I think it was well-received by the students,” Terpolilli said. “Presenting something like that is a difficult topic, but I think the way it was done related to students and went over well.”
In addition, the group has provided resources on suicide prevention, held talent shows to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention of New Jersey and sold blue and white silicone bracelets bearing the inscription, “Be Aware — People Do Care.”
Proceeds went to the foundation to raise money for suicide research and awareness efforts.
In July, the Gloucester County Freeholders recognized the work of Terpolilli and her students with a certificate honoring the school’s suicide awareness and prevention program.
“It feels good to help others though it’s very emotional. If we can help other people find help, that’s great,” Terpolilli said.
Last year, two busloads of teachers, staff and teens involved in the suicide awareness campaign traveled to an “Out of the Darkness” walk in New Brunswick that was sponsored by the foundation. A walk will be held there this year on Oct. 4.
On Oct. 25, Gloucester County Institute of Technology will host the first southern New Jersey’s “Out of the Darkness” walk.
The institute will work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention New Jersey Chapter to facilitate the event. Registration can be made by mail or phone, as well as online, by visiting www.outofthedarkness.org.
Terpolilli hopes to hold another assembly on mental health awareness and suicide prevention in the upcoming school year.
Jessica Covici, 18, a senior cosmetology student from Glassboro, was one of the original students to work on the project and travel to the New Brunswick walk.
“We wanted to get out there and tell people who are in need of help, or have a friend who needs help, that they can get the help that they need and talk about their problems,” Covici said.
New Jersey area director for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Cora Manzo said since 1992 the foundation has educated schools and staff on suicide prevention and has been available to school districts and communities in need of support.
The foundation was present at Gloucester Institute of Technology’s schoolwide assembly to speak to students.
“For the assembly, they actually made their own handouts with suicide prevention hotline numbers and did a phenomenal job reaching out to their peers. They are doing a phenomenal job raising awareness and funding for our cause,” Manzo said.
