Brandon Dinh, a 2015 graduate of California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State), is a passionate advocate for suicide prevention. For the past few years, he has worked tirelessly to help students on our campus feel safe and comfortable through his involvement with Love Evolution and as a facilitator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
This weekend, he will continue to raise awareness by participating in the sixth annual American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of Darkness Walk.  According to Dinh, this event “aims to raise money for vital research and educational programs for suicide prevention.”
The walk will take place this Saturday, Sept. 19 at Graceada Park in Modesto. Check-in and registration begin at 7:30 a.m. and the walk will take place from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
There are also many opportunities to get involved with supportive student organizations on campus.
“As trained NAMI Connections Support Group Facilitators, my colleague Marnye Henry and I felt that there was a need for a mental health support group that people can access on our campus,” Dinh said. “We aim to create a safe and welcoming environment so that individuals can comfortably vent about the many challenges they are facing without fear of judgement.” 
The NAMI support group meets every Tuesday from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. in the Lakeside Conference Room.
Dinh is also the Public Relations Coordinator of Love Evolution, a student organization that makes a tremendous effort to promote diversity and awareness of the many challenges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and questioning students.
“The LGBTQ community faces mental heath conditions similar to the rest of the population. However, they may experience more negative mental health outcomes due to stigma and prejudices,” Dinh said.
The group hosts annual events, such as Day of Silence and Transgender Day of Remembrance, in the quad. 
Love Evolution meets every Thursday from 5:30pm – 7:00pm in the Lakeside Conference Room.