Editor’s note: This article contains references to mental illness and suicide.

Students will walk through campus decked in neon and glow sticks for NC State’s first Neon Nights event Nov. 9.

Neon Nights is the first in a series of events to benefit The Jed Foundation. The Jed Foundation’s goal is to strengthen the mental health of students on the campuses it partners with as well as prevent substance misuse and suicide. 

The evening will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Stafford Commons and will feature student storytellers who will share their testimonies regarding mental health and suicide prevention.

After the opening ceremony, students will receive glow sticks and T-shirts that read “It’s time to glow, NC State,” and they’ll begin the march from Stafford Commons. From there, the parade will stop at various glow stations along the way. After the glow parade, students will enter the Talley Ballroom, where they can participate in a dance party. 

Christy Signmon, outreach and prevention specialist at Prevention Services, said having students participate in Neon Nights adds a special element to the event. 

“I think the community aspect makes it such an impactful event — it can help reduce the stigma,” Signmon said.

Signmon worked with a student team and the The Jed Foundation to put together the event. 

Reagan Griffin, a third-year studying social work and executive co-chair for NC State’s Neon Nights, said the event will be crucial for the community.

“I think it’s going to be a great event for community engagement and helping students realize that they’re not alone in their battles,” Griffin said. “We are all together, and we can all fight for this together.”

Griffin said the Jed Foundation provides a lot of the budget and materials needed for its signature events, but much of the planning is done by students on campus. 

“I always say that promoting, fundraising and volunteering are the big things we go after,” Griffin said. “We’re called ‘glow getters.’ … It’s definitely a lot of planning on our end, but [the Jed Foundation] acts as a support system.” 

Many campus entities, such as Campus Health, Pack Recovery, University Housing, the Women’s Center and the LGBTQ Pride Center, have partnered to help put on Neon Nights. Partners will host tables or “glow stations.” WKNC will serenade students as they make the trek around campus. 

Neon Nights also has off-campus vendors and sponsors coming to the event. Insomnia Cookies will be providing its signature sweet treats, and Jersey Mike’s and Blend will be giving out coupons to participating students. 

“Next year, we are definitely hoping for a lot more engagement,” Griffin said. “I know this was kind of our guinea pig year where we are learning how to do all of it. … Next year we will be looking for committee members … so we can reach even further out than we did this year.”

Griffin said her involvement has added a lot of meaning to her college experience, and she would recommend it to younger students. For students interested in being a mental health ambassador or getting involved with future Jed Foundation events, Griffin said to reach out to Prevention Services. 

Students can register in advance or at the time of the event. For early registration, visit the University events calendar to access the Crowdchange link.

For students interested in joining future Jed Foundation events or becoming mental health ambassadors, visit NC State’s Prevention Services website.