Jamie Leszczynski, senior director of communications for Oswego Health, and Katie Mahaffey, client relations manager for Aqua Spa Health and Wellness Boutique, will collaborate with SUNY Oswego’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) to present information on mental health awareness, suicide prevention and overall well-being from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, in the Marano Campus Center auditorium (Room 132).

SUNY Oswego students and staff are invited to attend the interactive presentations by Leszczynski and Mahaffey, who are both Oswego graduates, followed by Q&A sessions for the guests in attendance. Special offers and refreshments will be offered as well as networking opportunities.

"It took losing my brother to suicide for me to wake up and truly pay attention to my surroundings-for me to be aware of others and what they may be going through-for me to even personally and professionally take risks and not take life for granted,” said Leszczynski, who also founded the Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) Central New York chapter. “I hope that hearing Ryan's story and how I've tried to take this tragic event and use it as fuel will inspire small changes in others."

“We are thrilled to partner with SUNY Oswego’s PRSSA,” Mahaffey noted. “With this collaboration, we are able to connect with the college community and help them become familiar with the mental health and overall wellness benefits we can provide for them and other community members, right here in Oswego.”

Organizers hope that this event will make a difference in students' lives by bringing awareness and sharing stories as a way to come together and learn about resources and services available to them.

The evening also is a collaboration with the Public Relations 318 “Event Planning” class.

Founded in 2001, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at SUNY Oswego is the foremost organization for students interested in public relations and communications. The organization advocates for rigorous academic standards for public relations education, the highest ethical principles and diversity in the profession.

PRSSA at SUNY Oswego is open to any student in any major on campus that has a passion for building mutually beneficial professional relationships and networking with students and professionals in the fields of public relations, communications, journalism and marketing.