Mercer County student finalist in Pa. suicide prevention contest
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. (WKBN) — What started as a multimedia assignment for a West Middlesex student is now being recognized at the state level.
Senior Maggie Hoffman was tasked with creating a public service announcement on suicide prevention.
'It started out as an optional assignment, and I thought it was good exposure, going along with what I want to do in school,' Hoffman said. 'It just turned into something larger.'
Hoffman's video is one of nine finalists across the commonwealth for the Annual Prevent Suicide PA PSA Contest, which aims to bring awareness to youth mental health.
The video shows various students in a school hallway, holding up signs with statistics about youth mental health, with simple music in the background. Then shows happier students holding signs reminding others that they are not alone.
'I wanted it to be more than just someone talking at you, letting the statistics stand out,' Hoffman said.
Hoffman said she is honored to be a finalist and that the project has personally impacted her.
'A lot of people have reached out with not just their personal stories but people they know or family members,' Hoffman said. 'It's really cool to hear that it's a positive impact on others.'
Winners will be honored at a Prevent Suicide Night baseball game with one of our professional sports partners- The Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates- and receive a monetary award of $100.
Voting closes on Monday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m., and you can vote for a single entry once a day here.
If you are having thoughts of suicide or experiencing overwhelming distress or a substance use crisis, call or text 988.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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