Latest news with #SuicidePreventionMonth
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UConn students bike across the country for suicide prevention
FARMINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — Two University of Connecticut medical students flew to Seattle on Tuesday with no return flight booked, as the pair plans to bike back to their home state while raising money for suicide prevention. James Marks, 25, of Guilford, and Zach Giguere, 23, of Windsor began their summer cross-country bike trek as part of a two-decades-long UConn tradition that raises money and awareness for a specific cause. This year, the duo plans to raise awareness for suicide prevention, donating money toward advancing mental health research. Hamden school raises money for cancer research at 'Saint Baldrick's' event Their cause to prevent suicide is deeply personal to Marks. 'I lost my Dad,' Marks said. 'I am glad I can do this journey to raise awareness.' Giguere finds it critically important to raise greater awareness of the importance of mental health. 'Recently after COVID, I have seen more people struggling with anxiety and depression,' Giguere said. 'Research into these topics and supporting people who are really struggling is so important.' Suicide Prevention Month: How to get help during a mental health crisis Every year, more than 700,000 people die by suicide worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Mental health research and resources often lack the funding and attention they desperately need, the UConn students said. 'We believe that investing in suicide prevention—through research, crisis support, and accessible mental health care—can save lives,' they said. 'We are committed to raising awareness, advocating for change, and ensuring that no one feels alone in their struggle.' The two classmates' coast-to-coast trip is planned for a total of 48 days. 'A few days in, we are still on track, but we know the first few weeks will be the toughest,' Giguere said, who will celebrate his birthday on Tuesday. 'I have never been out West before,' Giguere said. 'I always wanted to see all of the U.S. This is the absolute best opportunity to do so!' Mark shared the same sentiment. 'It's beautiful out here!' he said. 'We did our biggest bike climbs yet in the Cascades here in Washington state even climbing up Washington Pass with its 5,500-foot elevation. It's really hard but everything of America we have seen so far, has incredible views.' Only a few days into the trek, both riders have witnessed the spirit of the American people over and over. Bridgeport 'painting the city blue' ahead of Swim Across the Sound fundraiser 'Everyone and every town we encounter are really kind and are excited to hear what we are doing,' Marks said. 'We were blessed when a stranger's truck stopped to give us Gatorade. Americans are extremely nice out here.' Their Coast-2-Coast journey can be followed on Instagram @_coast2coast25_ and you can donate to the duo's cause by clicking on this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Yahoo
Nigerian man extradited to US for alleged sextortion scheme that led to SC teen's suicide
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). A Nigerian man has been extradited to the U.S. after being indicted for allegedly operating a sextortion scheme that led to a South Carolina teenager's death. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina said in a press release that 24-year-old Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal of Osun State, Nigeria, has been indicted on charges of: child exploitation resulting in death; the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material; coercion and enticement of a minor; cyberstalking resulting in death; interstate threats with intent to extort; and aiding and abetting. The charges stem from an investigation into the death of 17-year-old Gavin Guffey of Rock Hill, South Carolina, who died by suicide in July 2022 after falling victim to Lawal's alleged scheme. Nj Student Bullied Like Adriana Kuch A Year Before Teen's Suicide After School Assault Filmed: Lawsuit Lawal, the attorney's office said, posed as a young woman on social media and convinced the teen to send compromising photos. After the teenager sent the photos, Lawal is accused of sending harassing messages to him, threatening to leak the photos and ruin his reputation unless the teen sent him money. Read On The Fox News App Lawal is accused of later doing the same to members of Guffey's family. "We will not allow predators who target our children to hide behind a keyboard or across the ocean. Today we honor Gavin's life and continue our fight against sextortion by holding this defendant accountable," said U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. "This investigation and extradition are the result of tremendous law enforcement coordination both in the United States and Nigeria." The boy's father, South Carolina Republican state Rep. Brandon Guffey, told Fox News Digital last year that his son and the perpetrator began chatting on Instagram, the social media app owned by Facebook's parent company, Meta. Suicide Prevention Month: How 3 Organizations Have Turned Personal Loss Into Suicide Prevention Efforts That person convinced Gavin to turn on "vanish mode" in their Instagram chat, which allows messages to disappear after they are received. "And then they shared photos," Guffey told Fox News Digital. After exchanging photos, that person demanded money from Gavin. He replied that he only had $25 in his account, which Guffey said was not true, and sent $25. The scammer demanded more. "And he even said that I'm sitting in my room with a gun. If these pictures go out, I'm going to end it right now," the state lawmaker explained. "I don't know if any of the pictures were shared." Warning Signs Of Suicide: What To Know About Prevention, Red Flags And How To Deal With The Issue Gavin, who had just graduated from high school that spring and had a passion for art and music, shot himself that evening. After his death, the scammer he met on Instagram tracked down Brandon Guffey and Gavin's teenage cousin on Instagram and began demanding money from them. "This indictment represents the culmination of countless hours of dedicated work done by our investigators both here and abroad," said Steve Jensen, special agent in charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office. "The defendant's alleged actions are reprehensible resulting in the tragic loss of a young man's life. We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding criminals accountable, especially those who target our children and endanger their lives, no matter where they are." If convicted, Lawal faces up to life in prison. The charge of child exploitation resulting in death carries a mandatory sentence of 30 years in prison. Lawal could also face mandatory restitution in which the court may order him to pay for losses incurred by the family as a result of his alleged scheme. Fox News Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed to this article source: Nigerian man extradited to US for alleged sextortion scheme that led to SC teen's suicide
