Cooley Law School students and faculty walk to raise awareness

About 30 students, family, and faculty members from Cooley Law School's Grand Rapids campus participated recently in the Mental Health Foundations' ninth annual Stomp Out Stigma Walk. The Cooley team raised over $800 through pledges for the Mental Health Foundation. The annual Stomp Out Stigma - Walk for Mental Health is held in May in conjunction with National Mental Health Month. Planned collaboratively with and sponsored by local mental health service providers, the annual event strives to raise awareness that the stigma associated with mental illness is one of the greatest barriers that keeps people from seeking help. One mental health issue of concern is teen suicide, noted Cooley Law School Associate Professor Victoria Vuletich. ''The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention states that suicide is the fifth leading cause of death among those 5-14 years old and that suicide is the third leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old. That so many of our children and teenagers are taking their lives poses great consequences to our society Cooley is proud to be involved in the effort to address this national tragedy,'' she said. Published: Mon, Jun 27, 2011