Lansing, Mich. – LCC Theatre, Music & Dance and Counseling Services will present Please Stay: A Call for Depression and Suicide Awareness video program at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov.11 online at lcc.edu/pleasestay.

Please Stay: A Call for Depression and Suicide Awareness video program uses various arts and dialogue to increase awareness about suicide and depression, and to help people who are experiencing mental health struggles. Inspired and anchored by a virtual choir performance of Jake Runestad’s “Please Stay,” the program weaves original drama, dialogue, dance, poetry and music to offer understanding and hope, reflections and resources.

More than 150 students were involved, either as dancers, in dialogue, contributing creative elements including the virtual choir, a series of five open dialogues, five poems, four dances, and a story that unfolds throughout as a caller reaches out to a suicide hotline for help. Each of these elements was separately produced, then woven together by writer Melissa Kaplan and editor/director Rob Edwards.

The 30-minute video also features the work of anonymous contributors to LCC’s Community Generated Poetry Project; guest artist Kisma Jordan, a professional opera soul singer, an LCC counselor, a staff member and a student sharing their experiences.

Visitors to lcc.edu/pleasestay will also find a list of resources and links. Following the premiere, the video will remain accessible on LCC’s Please Stay webpage.

 

About Lansing Community College

Lansing Community College, founded in 1957, is one of the largest community colleges in Michigan, serving more than 23,000 students across a six-county area each year. LCC offers courses in general education for those interested in transferring to a four-year institution, career and workforce development, developmental education and personal enrichment. To meet the professional development and training needs of regional employees, the college offers customized programs for credit, non-credit and continuing education. The University Center at LCC offers students the opportunity to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from five partner universities on the downtown LCC campus. For more information, visit lcc.edu.

Lansing Community College provides equal opportunity for all persons and prohibits discriminatory practices based on race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, creed, ancestry, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, familial status, marital status, military status, veteran’s status, or other status as protected by law, or genetic information that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position or participate in educational programs, courses, services or activities offered by the College.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Equal Opportunity Officer, Washington Court Place, 309 N. Washington Square Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1730; Employee Coordinator 504/ADA, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1875; Student Coordinator 504/ADA, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1885; Human Resource Manager/Employee Title IX Coordinator, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1879; Student Title IX Coordinator, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-9632.