The mission of the Students for Suicide Awareness is to spread awareness about suicide and depression among college students. In addition to spreading awareness, the SSA helps prevent suicide by making the facts and warning signs known, and by offering alternatives.

The SSA will be holding their second Annual Seeds of Hope Music and Art Benefit Show on Saturday, April 3, from noon to 5 p.m. The event will take place on the canon greens at UWF. Tickets will be available at the door and admission is free with any donation. All proceeds will go towards the Mental Health Association of West Florida. 

The benefit show will consist of live music from local musicians, suicide-survivor artwork, a silent auction, door prize drawings and refreshments.

“It is a chance for musicians, students, artists and community members to come together and send out a message of hope,” said Sabra Jernigan, member of SSA and a co-organizer of the event.

Bands that will be playing begin with The Gills as the headliner, Mr. Fahrenheit, Dannica Lowery and Kevin Koontz.

Last year was the first year for the event and there were over 200 attendees and more than $2000 were raised. The group hopes for an even bigger turnout this year.

There will be two additional fundraisers before the concert. On March 25, from 8 to 10 p.m. there will be a Bachelor Night: a date night where musicians and ATO (Alpha Tau Omega, a UWF Fraternity) members will be auctioned. Winners with the highest bid will receive a free dinner and date with the bachelor they choose.

The second fundraiser will be Sushi Night in honor of Chef John Ma. This event will take place Thursday, April 1, 6 to 10 p.m. at the Horizen Sushi Restaurant at 3103 East Strong Street in Pensacola.

The SSA is always looking for new members. The group meets on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. in the Commons at UWF. If anyone is interested in joining or would like more information, contact Sabra Jernigan at SAJ14@student.uwf.edu.

SSA is now accepting donations of money, door prizes and services. Anyone interested in making a donation should contact Sabra Jernigan at SabraJernigan@yahoo.com or (850) 490-4746.