by Nicole Hackett, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University’s Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) will participate in HopeFest at the Shawnee Park Pavilion in Xenia, Ohio, on Sept. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Hope Spot, a place for both individuals and families to find help and support for long-term recovery from addiction and mental illness in Xenia, developed HopeFest as a way to serve the community and celebrate recovery awareness month. Events include a fishing event, hog roast, live music, raffle drawing, bouncy house, face painting and cornhole.
SNPhA will have tables set up in the park. SNPhA will talk to community members about mental health, HIV, AIDS, diabetes and heart health.
According to the Greene County Public Health Department, there was a 63% increase in unintentional drug overdose deaths in Greene County from 2010-2015. There were 44 unintentional drug overdose deaths in Greene County in 2016. That number rose to 63 in 2017.
“In this area of the country, being able to address drug addiction and abuse is important,” explained Zach Krauss, SNPhA historian and first-year professional pharmacy student from Temple, Texas.
“I also love the mental health aspect we bring to the event,” he continued. “We get to talk to people about the stigma that pushes people into not talking about their mental health problems, and how if we can address that and truly care for them as a person, the number of people in silence will decrease.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,380 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Doctor of Pharmacy program, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and high student engagement ranking. For more information about Cedarville University, visit www.cedarville.edu.