Fall 2024 Elite Lawyer Scholarship Winner

Felicia Gambino

Felicia’s essay beautifully articulates the various ways in which she is committed to ending the stigma against mental health through empowering and educating others. We congratulate Felicia on all she has accomplished and cannot wait to see how many lives are positively impacted by her efforts.

Read Felicia’s Essay:

In May 2022, I hosted my second annual Mental Health Awareness Open Mic to create a community committed to ending the stigma surrounding mental health. A friend requested I perform a poem by Scroobius Pip entitled “Magician’s Assistant.” This piece, exploring perspectives on loss to suicide, played a crucial role in saving my friend’s daughter from her suicidal ideations. My passion for mental health is embodied in The Magician’s Project which is dedicated to Lily and all those who battle with the decision to stay. The COVID-19 Pandemic shed new light on the Mental Health Epidemic that was previously pushed to the back burner. According to the CDC, suicide is currently the 11th leading cause of death, with rates increasing since 2021. Struggling with mental health may leave many feeling alone, vulnerable, and ashamed to ask for help. While in college, I studied Psychology and volunteered in my local hospital’s Psychiatric wing. I became a crisis counselor for Crisis Text Line and a field advocate for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). In organizing community events, I forged a strong relationship with AFSP that influences the work of my initiative. The Magician’s Project is dedicated to suicide prevention efforts with a focus on Education, Advocacy, and Fundraising: o Education – The Talk Saves Lives and It’s Real presentations introduces suicide to the general population and middle and high school students. This year, I will utilize my relationship with AFSP New York chapters to provide training to schools and community centers across the state. Additionally, I will utilize social media to share similar messages that build confidence in approaching difficult conversations and encouraging loved ones to find support. o Advocacy– Field advocates for AFSP promote legislation that promotes mental health and suicide prevention. My goal is to expand AFSP’s advocacy outreach by working with organization leaders and state legislators to coordinate events such as Advocacy Days, Forums, and our annual State Capital Day in Albany. o Fundraise – As chairperson for the AFSP Staten Island Committee, I lead volunteers in organizing the Annual Staten Island Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk. I coordinate fundraisers and recruit sponsors that provide revenue for research and programs to help understand suicide and mental illness. This understanding is vital for building effective prevention efforts in our communities. In May 2023, The Magician’s Project officially launched via social media. Since then, I led volunteers in organizing six fundraisers for AFSP, raising over $26,000 for prevention efforts in our New York communities. In the next year, I will expand educational outreach to focus on the middle school and high school populations. I plan to increase our fundraising goals to $50,000 by leveraging existing relationships and connecting with new potential sponsors. These relationships will be crucial during major fundraising months, including Mental Health Awareness Month in May and Suicide Prevention Month in September. Struggling with mental illness can feel like a war against your mind, but together, we can let our silent soldiers know they are not alone