WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and reminding people that help is available.

Across Northeastern Pennsylvania, one local woman is turning her own experiences with mental health struggles into a mission to help others feel less alone.

Stephanie Gerek, of Nanticoke, struggled with panic disorders for nearly a decade before she was diagnosed at 16. Through her own experiences, she learned just how difficult it can be to navigate mental health challenges without support.

“There’s a lot of people out there who have no support,” Gerek said.

That realization helped inspire Gerek to create NEPA Mental Health, an effort focused on building connections and creating spaces where people can openly discuss their mental health.

She launched an online support group in 2023 and began organizing community walks designed to bring people together.

For Gerek, the walks are about more than exercise. They are an opportunity for people to meet others, build relationships and have conversations they might otherwise avoid.

“There’s people who just moved here and the walks will bring people together, and people are actually going to show up because they actually want to talk to people,” Gerek said.

 Non-profit builds beds for children in Luzerne County 

Mental health struggles can often remain hidden, even from the people closest to someone.

Dr. Matthew Berger, a psychiatrist, said people sometimes don’t recognize the strength of their support system until they are already in crisis.

“A lot of times, people don’t know, and I hear this a lot, people will say like, ‘I didn’t know I had such a good support system until I did something, and then people kind of came out of the woodwork,'” Berger said. “I wish I had reached out before. I wish somebody reached out to me.”

Gerek hopes her community walks can create an environment where people feel comfortable opening up about what they are experiencing.

“It makes people have hope that they’re not the only ones out there with those issues,” she said.

While starting a conversation may seem like a small gesture, mental health professionals say reaching out can make a meaningful difference.

 Non-profit builds beds for children in Luzerne County 

Berger encourages people to pay attention when someone they know doesn’t seem like themselves.

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to a loved one, or a family member, or friend and say, ‘Hey, you’re not yourself. I’m just wondering is there something I can do?'”

For Gerek, the goal is simple: help people feel seen, heard and supported.

“I just hate seeing people struggle, and I just want to help as many people as I can,” Gerek said. “Even if I can just help one person a day, I know that will at least make someone feel less alone.”

Gerek hopes to expand her efforts in the future, including through monthly wellness fairs.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in English and Spanish.

During Suicide Prevention Month, the message is simple: Start the conversation, reach out and let people know they are not alone.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News.