SADD Club wins first place in statewide suicide prevention video contest for third consecutive year

A Williamsport Area High School video produced to help raise awareness on mental health stigmas and suicide prevention received first place for the third consecutive year in a recent statewide PSA contest conducted by Prevent Suicide PA (PSPA).

The video, created by members of the high school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club, earned the top spot in the 60-second category through online votes received from both students and the broader public.         

“Every year our remarkable students brainstorm ideas that will make a lasting impact on the well-being of their fellow peers,” said Jeremy Steppe, club adviser. “I am always so impressed by their creativity and the level of compassion that our community leaders demonstrate when creating these videos.”

The high school’s winning video focuses on a series of students who are secretly and silently battling depression and poor mental health.

Those responsible for the video are Steppe and WAHS SADD Club members Ella Ballard, Colyn Jandrisavitz, Kyra Lichtenfels, Isabella Newcomer, Alonzo Rice and Elizabeth Stoica, with production assistance from Greg Hayes, the district’s public relations director.

The club will be recognized for their winning production during an on-field ceremony in May at PNC Field during a Pittsburgh Pirates game.

The aim of the annual contest is to empower and give rise to youth voices in the prevention conversation using “new and creative ways to share resources with our communities,” according to PSPA.

To view the high school’s video, visit www.wasd.org or https://psa.preventsuicidepa.org/.