Graphics communications students honored for mental health messaging

Posted 25 September 2023 at 10:32 am

Provided photo: Pictured from left to right: Deputy Director Gibbons Doxey, Graphic Communications instructor Karen Krull, Graphic Communications students Caylee Sword, Jadean Gold and Blayzz Cassidy, and Legislator Jesse Gooch.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

LOCKPORT – Niagara County Legislator Jesse Gooch and Myrla Gibbons Doxey, Deputy Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (NCDMH) honored students from the Orleans and Niagara Career and Technical Centers’ Graphic Communications Programs at Tuesday’s meeting of the Niagara County Legislature.

The students were recognized for their creative and unique designs for community messaging flyers and bus bench advertisements that encourage people experiencing a mental health and/or substance use concern to contact the County’s 24-hour crisis phone line at (716) 285-3515 or 988.

“These students developed messaging that will resonate with their peers because who understands what young adults face better than other young adults,” said Gibbons Doxey. “We are tremendously impressed with their great work.”

“My students really identified the importance of working within the community,” said Susan Staddon, Niagara Career and Technical Center’s Graphic Communications Instructor. “The idea that the Department of Mental Health came to our classroom and wanted to include students speaking to students with their artwork made a powerful impact, and it continued important related conversations throughout the project.”

“The students were so pleased to be given the opportunity to do something so significant for their community,” said Karen Krull, Orleans Career and Technical Center’s Graphic Communications Instructor. “It was a privilege to be part of this life saving project.”