KINGSTON, R.I – Oct. 14, 2025 – The University of Rhode Island will host the 17th annual Be 5K Walk/Run for Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention on Saturday, Oct. 25.

According to Mental Health First Aid National Council for Mental Wellbeing, over 45% of college students across the country struggle with their mental health. The race, which is open to the public, will benefit the Heather Fund which supports services and outreach programs focused on the prevention and treatment of depression and suicide within the URI community. The fund was created by Josephine and Roger Vennewald, in memory of their daughter Heather Vennewald, a senior at URI who died by suicide in 1996. 

In advance of the Be 5K, alumni and current members of the Theta Chi Fraternity will be holding a panel discussion on Oct. 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chafee Social Science Center, Lecture Hall 271. “A Night of Hope and Healing to Break the Silence Around Suicide” will feature Heather’s best friends and roommates, Johanna Buoncontri ‘96, Jill Collado ‘96, Amy Darling ‘96 and Marissa Warren ‘96. The panel is intended to raise awareness about mental health issues and the stigma that surrounds them, while also promoting the Be 5K. This panel is free and open to the general public.

“The panel is going to be more of a candid discussion about the realities of mental health awareness,” said Buoncontri. “We are going to share more intimate stories of hope. It is only by having frank and open discussion on these topics that we can begin to decrease stigma.

“Our goal is to have Heather’s name be a living tribute to the URI community. We want to honor her memory everyday and symbolize mental health awareness.” 

URI offers both on and off campus resources and support for those who are struggling. The Counseling Center offers free, confidential support to URI students.   

“We have so much at URI for mental health support,” said Michael Starkey, assistant director of the URI Counseling Center. “Whether that is an advisor, a coach, services at the Counseling Center, or elsewhere here on campus. Talk to whoever you can trust. That’s what we’re here for.”

Among the organizations that have supported the Be 5K over the years are the URI Center for Career & Experimental Education, URI Health Services, Campus Recreation, Greek Life, the Psychological Consultation Center and URI S.A.V.E.S. Each of them, along with other sponsors and organizations, will be present on the Quad providing information and resources. 

URI Panhellenic Mental Health and Wellness Chair Kaitlyn Johnson notes that URI Greek Life regularly hosts tabling and educational events to promote mental health awareness — many of them are supported by the Heather Fund. 

The Be 5K, on the Kingston Campus, is open to the general public. Participants may register in advance or at 7:30 a.m. the day of the race. The cost for URI students, faculty and staff, veterans or those in the military, and those ages 55 and up is $15. The cost for the general public is $20. The Walk/Run will start at 8:15 a.m. on the URI Quad. The event is rain or shine. In the event of rain, resource tables, activities, snacks and water will be held in the Welcome Center.

Summarizing the spirit of the race and the importance of raising awareness, Catherine Calise, clinical counselor and substance use specialist with the Counseling Center, explained, “It’s okay to reach out. When you ask for help, it helps other people realize they are not alone. There are people that want to listen and want to help.”

The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 988, or go to 988lifeline.org. The URI Counseling Center offers free, confidential mental health and well-being support to URI students. More information is available at uri.edu/counseling/ or by calling 401-874-2288. The University also provides 24-hour support via Telus Health. For URI faculty and staff, free, confidential assistance is available through the Employee Assistance Program. URI’s Couple and Family Therapy Clinic and the Psychological Consultation Center, also provide mental health services. 

This story was written by Kiera Wrage, a senior majoring in public relations at the University of Rhode Island. Kiera is interning in URI’s Department of Communications and Marketing.