County Executive Jason Garner issued a proclamation declaring this coming Saturday as DIFD Power to the Purple Day in Broome County. If you've got ANY purple clothing you can wear, please do!
If you don't have big weekend plans, Saturday night also marks the DIFD Power to the Purple game as the Binghamton Senators take on the Utica Comets. The Senators will even be wearing special purple warm-up jerseys before the game that will be raffled off later in the evening. Wear purple to the game and you could be in the next group picture like the one above!
Discounted $15 tickets to the game (with $2 per ticket benefiting the Mental Health Association of the Souther Tier) are available here.
According to the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier, suicide is the second leading cause of death for children and young adults ages 12-24. DIFD (Do it for Daron) Power to the Purple Day was created in memory of Daron Richardson, whose family and friends have been challenging to stigma of youth mental illness since his suicide.
On a personal note, I've lost several friends to suicide. Often, the signs of mental health distress aren't apparent to the untrained eye. That's why it's extremely important to have these dialogues and spread awareness of not just youth mental illness in general , but also the wealth of resources and well-trained specialists we have in the community that can truly help you save a life.
Photo: MHAST