The Amazing Day Foundation recently donated $10,000 to support a student mental health intern who will work specifically with the Greek community.

The nonprofit was founded by the family of Sean Feliciano, a third year UCSB student and Sigma Pi fraternity member who committed suicide almost two years ago. The group’s overall mission is to prevent youth suicide.

Currently, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students.

“My son became terminally ill and the disease took him away from us,” Sean’s father Bob Feliciano said in a 2009 Nexus article. “The person who did this was not my son — it was a disease.”

Bob Feliciano and Sean’s brother, Chris, presented the check to Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Michael Young and Dean of Students Yonie Harris.

The funded intern will work directly with fraternity and sorority organizations for two years to encourage mental health awareness.

Sean did not speak to his friends or fraternity brothers about his depression, which he was diagnosed with and being treated for at the time of his death. The intern will encourage more peer communication within the Greek system.

The Amazing Day Foundation is also working alongside the UCSB Alumni Association to organize a five mile memorial race in March 2011.

Staff Report

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