Jordan Porco Foundation: Responding to Need for Mental Health Awareness

The Jordan Porco Foundation’s “Fresh Check Day was born from a basic premise: to provide the mental health messaging needed to spark conversation and education, and reduce the stigma associated with this topic with peer centered activities,” explained Co-founder and President Marisa Giarnella-Porco, recently.

Since that first Fresh Check Day at Eastern Connecticut State University in 2012, the nonprofit organization, based in Hatford, “has grown to having served 336 colleges and universities in 46 states.”  During 2022, there were 34 first-time schools in 37 states, as the program continues to expand, impacting more young people on campuses nationwide. 

A survey of students taking part in the Fresh Check Day activities found that 82% indicated they are more aware of warning signs, 89% said they were more aware of resources, 86% said they are now more prepared to help a friend and 85% said they are more likely to ask for help. 

“The impact of our programs is extremely important and timely with the current mental health crisis we are witnessing,” Giarnella-Porco added. “Our goal is to help support our youth and young adults before the point of crisis.

The Jordan Porco Foundation was founded in 2011 by Ernie and Marisa Porco after they lost their son, Jordan, to suicide when he was a freshman in college.  In their grief, Jordan’s parents learned the unacceptable statistics surrounding mental health and suicide in the young adult population, and decided they needed to turn their grief into action so that other families would never have to experience such a profound loss.

“Fresh Check Day is so important because it draws attention to different aspects of mental health, such as coping mechanisms like letting someone know that they are not alone,” said Samantha Shatas, a student at Eastern Connecticut State University, describing her participation in Fresh Check Day two years ago.  “As a psychology major, I realize the importance of checking in on our peers. I am sensitive and aware of the stigmas associated with mental illness. For better mental health, Fresh Check Day will go a long way toward helping those struggling, and even ourselves.”

The Jordan Porco Foundation is committed to preventing suicide in the high school, college, and college entry student population. In addition to Fresh Check Day, programs include “9 Out of 10 Ambassadors,” “4 What’s Next,” and “Check-In.” 

More information about programs and how to support the organization, go so https://rememberingjordan.org/.