Marisa Vicere, the founder of the Jana Marie Foundation, came to Tyrone Area High School on Tuesday, February 11th, to speak to all TAHS students about suicide prevention.

The Jana Marie Foundation is named after Vicere’s sister, who took her own life in a moment of despair on June 18th, 2011.

She created the foundation due to the loss of her sister.  No community, including Tyrone, is immune to this issue, and Vicere brought her story of despair and hope to the students in hopes of preventing another tragedy like her sister’s.

“I personally have poured my heart and soul into helping other people overcome their losses, which in turn helped me overcome my own,” Vicere said when asked what she has done to overcome her sister’s passing.

The main goal of the Jana Marie Foundation is to harness the power of creative expression and allow young people to create safe spaces for themselves and others to share and overcome their struggles, promote the prevention of suicide, and provide help to those who need it.

The best way to overcome the loss of a loved one, Marisa says, is to listen to what your own needs are because everyone grieves differently, and listen to what other people have to say about your situation.

They could give some very good insight as to what might improve your circumstances.

According to Vincere, if you know a friend who is going through the loss of someone they love or is considering attempting suicide themselves, you should act.

“Find out what their reservations are. Figure out their barriers to get them connected to people they trust,” Vicere said.

Overall, the Jana Marie Foundation turns distress into resilience and hope and gives strength to the people less fortunate.