Alumna Advocates for Tween Mental Health

Aevidum is a student-run organization that promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention. The word Aevidum, which means "I've got your back," was created in 2003 by students and instructors at Cocalico High School in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as a response to the suicide of a classmate. Since then, hundreds of schools - elementary, middle, high and college - nationwide have added Aevidum chapters.

Millersville alumna Danielle Croft, a reading teacher at Marticville Middle School, dedicates her time to promoting student mental health awareness as the school's Aevidum advisor. In 2015, Croft graduated from Millersville University with her bachelor of science degree and then completed Millersville's assessment, curriculum, and teaching graduate program in 2023.

She initially got involved with Aevidum as a long-term substitute position at Penn Manor High School. During her tenure, Croft coached the junior varsity girl's lacrosse team. One day, the lacrosse athletes approached her and the varsity coach with the idea of hosting an Aevidum Awareness Game against Ephrata.

"I'll admit, I wasn't familiar with Aevidum at the time," says Croft. "It hadn't existed when I was a student at Penn Manor. The girls explained what it stood for and why they were involved. It had been one year since a close friend of theirs, who was in college at the time, died by suicide. Their passion to create change and raise awareness in his memory was powerful."

Moved by the students' efforts to organize the game and advocate for mental health awareness among their peers, Croft was encouraged to promote the Aevidum mission and became a member of the organization's National Board of Directors.

"Children are our future, and they deserve to live long enough to shape it," says Croft. "The students who lead Aevidum aren't just talking about change; they are actively creating it. That's what sets Aevidum apart from any other mental health organization. It was created by students, led by students for students."

Croft is currently supporting a student-led chapter at the middle-school level. She also helps organize community events such as the annual "Strides Against Stigma" 5K race and shares Aevidum's message at regional conferences and school presentations through her work as a board member.

Additional information and resources are available at aevidum.org/resources-and-support/.

Youth Suicide Warning Signs:

• Feelings of Hopelessness
• Anxiety, agitation, trouble sleeping or sleeping all of the time
• Expressions of having no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life
• Feelings of being trapped - like there's no way out
• Increased alcohol and/or drug use, withdrawal from friends, family and community
• Rage, uncontrolled anger expressions of wanting or seeking revenge
• Reckless behavior or more risky activities, seemingly without thinking
• Dramatic mood changes
• Giving away prized possessions

Teen Depression Warning Signs:

• Depressed, irritable, sad or empty mood for at least two weeks
• Decreased interest or enjoyment in once-favorite activities and people
• Changes in appetite, eating too much or too little or significant weight gain or loss
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Physical agitation or slowness
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Low self-esteem, feeling guilty
• Decreased ability to concentrate, indecisive
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Recurrent suicidal thoughts or behavior (*seek immediate medical help)