This year’s Talbot Speaker, Joe Vulopas, is the founder and executive director of Aevidum—a depression and suicide education awareness initiative launched at the Pennsylvania high school where Mr. Vulopas teaches English. Mr. Vulopas’s goal is spreading awareness about depression, suicide and hope. Aevidum involves trained adults in empowering middle and high school students to understand that depression is a treatable illness; to know the warning signs of depression; to use their gifts and talents to spread the message of hope; and to be advocates for their friends—other students—who may need help. Partnered with health and education professionals from University of Pennsylvania, Aevidum also addresses many other issues facing teenagers today.
“Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents, yet most schools won’t address it, for fear that it will give students the idea to commit suicide. That’s foolish. We have to let students know how to recognize symptoms of depression, so they can help themselves and their friends.”