On Thursday, Sept. 26, at 5:30 p.m., State University of New York at Fredonia will host a free screening of “Project 22” in the Multi-Purpose Room in Williams Center on the college’s campus. The screening event, which will be preceded by a resource fair with local mental health and wellness agencies at 4:30 p.m. and followed by a panel discussion, is presented by the Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention and is co-hosted by both the Fredonia Division of Advancement, Engagement, and Economic Development and the Department of Student Wellness and Support. The screening of the 1-hour and 42-minute film will be followed by a panel discussion and question and answer session with local resource partners and one of the film’s Executive Producers, 2012 Fredonia graduate, and former Marine, Theo Collins.

The film’s name “Project 22” comes from a 2012 study released by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The study reported that an average of 22 veterans die by suicide per day, or approximately one every 65 minutes and 8,000 each year.

Created by two combat-wounded veterans, “Project 22” documents their journey on a 6,500 mile cross-country motorcycle mission to raise awareness for military veteran suicide and promote holistic mental and physical health. Along the way, they interviewed leading researchers, mental health clinicians and educators who specialize in traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress. The film also features the stories of veterans, many of whom either contemplated or attempted suicide, and who were able to share the life-saving alternative sources of hope with the filmmakers. The film premiered in 2014, was released worldwide in 2015, was an official selection in the 2015 G.I. Film Festival, and has screened across the country and the world since then.

“One of the key takeaways that we hope people get from the film, which is not just about the existence of the veteran suicide epidemic, is that there are countless therapies and alternative treatments available for post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. The film visits an equine therapy clinic in Louisiana, a sailing therapy clinic in San Francisco, and a veteran using art therapy in Texas, among others. Many similar alternative therapies are available right here in Western New York. Our hope is that people discover whatever their path to healing is through this film” said Collins.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m., community partners will be available to provide information and answer questions about referral services for veterans and military families. This special screening is free and open to the public. The William Center is located at the intersections of Ring Road and Old Main Drive on the campus in Fredonia.

For more information, please contact Jeannie Galbraith at Jeannieg@fscr.mygbiz.com or 753-5916.