Living with a Sense of Purpose Scholarship

Awarded By:

The New York Injury & Malpractice Law Firm, P.C.

Number of Awards & Eligibility: One award is available.

Description: John Fisher is devoted to fighting for the rights of suicide victims and their families. Suicide is the leading cause of preventable death in our country. Sadly, those suffering from depression and mental health illnesses are often neglected or under-treated in our health system. Mr. Fisher is proud to introduce Anthony’s Scholarship, a scholarship created to educate and provide resources to those suffering from suicidal ideation and depression and their families. This award is aptly named after one of the many victims of suicide, Anthony Banhart. Anthony cared deeply for his family. He was generous, kind and was always there when you needed him. Anthony was taken by police to the hospital’s emergency department after a suicide note was discovered at his home. Family members and members of the police department warned the hospital personnel that Anthony had plans to end his life and desperately needed emergency medical and psychiatric treatment. Anthony never got the treatment he so badly needed. Without seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist, Anthony was released from the emergency department with no follow-up treatment plan and took his own life three days later. A common myth about suicide malpractice cases is that the patient’s death was inevitable even with proper medical management and counseling. With proper medical and psychiatric treatment, Anthony would likely be alive today. Accessible mental health care would positively impact susceptible individuals who suffer from suicidal tendencies. Legislation could make health care mandatory for people who need it, profoundly helping them, as well as limiting or regulating access to the firearms which are involved in the leading method of suicide. Mr. Fisher has established a scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to be awarded to a student interested in these issues. Applicants should discuss how legislation addressing U.S. health care and/or access to firearms could help prevent suicide.

Application requirements for the Living with a Sense of Purpose Scholarship are:

• Essay
• FAFSA
• Official Transcript
• Resume

Additional Information:

Award Amount: Chosen applicant will receive $2,000.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $2,000.