Prior Events

The Cos4Hope team is excited to meet & tell the awesome MO Volunteer group about our mission to Inspire Hope for mental wellness and suicide prevention!

Helping Our Students

UCM Faculty and Staff, have you ever been concerned for a student's mental well being? Have you ever noticed a change in a student's behavior? Have you thought about warning signs or risk factors for depression or suicidality? 

Have you wondered what your responsibilities as a UCM faculty/staff member are when you encounter a student who exhibits some of these warning signs? Are there protective factors? 

We will host panel discussions to help faculty and staff learn how to best respond to students in crisis on September 6 from 3:30-4:30 and September 12 from 9:30-10:30. Both panel discussions are in Union 235 and both panel sessions will cover the same topics. 

Panelists will include Dr .Ashley Gage, Professor Juanice Williams, Dr. Corey Bowman, and Dr. Jeanne Woon. 

There will be the option of attending the panels virtually via YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/2zfX_Cs9oYM?feature=share

Sponsored by the UCM Sociology & Social Work Programs & Cos4Hope

Online ~ Sept 10, 2023 

Join Cos4Hope for our 6th Annual always free, always online virtual lighting event!

For World Suicide Prevention Awareness & Action Day, Cos4Hope will be hosting this Facebook event to share your lighted prop in honor of someone who has been lost to suicide, and even for someone who struggles (maybe even for yourself).

Let's light up Facebook, plus other social platforms, with our wands, lanterns, candles, tesseracts, lighted swords, orbs, infinity stones, gauntlet, lightsabers, sonic screwdrivers, game controllers, rings, etc. for mental health & suicide prevention. This will be happening all day long.

Feel free to add a photo or short video of your lighting. Cosplay is always encouraged, but never required.

*Please add your photo or video here. Let us know who you are lighting your prop for, and let us know if we can share it on our main page.

*When, or if, posting across social media, please use any of the following hashtags with it:

#C4HopeTorchesOn

#C4HopeTorchesOn2023

#C4HTorchesOn

#C4HTorcheson2023

#TorchesOn #TorchesOn2023

https://fb.me/e/Ss8yUMpD

Helping Our Students

UCM Faculty and Staff, have you ever been concerned for a student's mental well being? Have you ever noticed a change in a student's behavior? Have you thought about warning signs or risk factors for depression or suicidality? 

Have you wondered what your responsibilities as a UCM faculty/staff member are when you encounter a student who exhibits some of these warning signs? Are there protective factors? 

We will host panel discussions to help faculty and staff learn how to best respond to students in crisis on September 6 from 3:30-4:30 and September 12 from 9:30-10:30. Both panel discussions are in Union 235 and both panel sessions will cover the same topics. 

Panelists will include Dr .Ashley Gage, Professor Juanice Williams, Dr. Corey Bowman, and Dr. Jeanne Woon. 

There will be the option of attending the panels virtually via YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/2zfX_Cs9oYM?feature=share

Sponsored by the UCM Sociology & Social Work Programs & Cos4Hope

Wondering what to expect during your first year at UCM?

Need Mental Health resources? Need food?

Answers to these questions and more at the 1st Annual MO Cares: Resource Fair!

Sponsored by UCM Sociology, UCM Social Work, and Cos4Hope

Stop by to meet with some of the phenomenal team members from businesses, organizations or university support services!

Virtual ~ Mar, 2020 

While many cons have had to be cancelled or postponed, we know the let down of not being able to share our craft & product right now. Please look through this album to see how to get the information to Cosplay for Hope to share at our pop up virtual con. We know the excitement of sharing our end product, as well as what livelihoods mean to us right now! 

We are watching C4HopeCon@gmail.com for your creativity & what you have share!

Virtual ~ Mar 21, 2020 

With the world changing rapidly, and with much of con season thwarted in some way (many postponed or cancelled), we started a pop up Virtual Hope-Con in order to help encourage each other's creativity while boosting our mental health, and even some livelihoods.

Your Cosplay for Hope team cannot wait to share with you some plans we having coming in this year!

Join team members of Cosplay for Hope as we discuss what we have planned for our cosplayers & connies in the world of mental wellness and suicide prevention!

* Please note that even this is tentative as things change rapidly. |WHICH HAS HAPPENED IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES| We hope to get our information to you in some way. We hope the livestream will be the best way at this time.

** NOTE: All of your Cosplay for Hope team are safe & healthy at this time, and we continue to take measures & precautions to keep that way; current events have affected personal lives & jobs in other ways. Thank you for understanding in these fluid times.

Plaza Library ~ Nov 23, 2019 

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day for our 2nd annual light vigil. Bring your lightsaber, lantern, lighted wand, sonic screwdriver, Pokéball, orb, tesseract, or other lighted prop to light in remembrance of those lost to suicide.

* NO OPEN FLAMES ALLOWED *

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year to start the holiday season keeping the memory of our loved ones lost to suicide alive. They may not be with us, but we never forget them.

There will be words of hope from some of our favorite fandoms, a reading of names, and a moment of lights.

Cosplay fully encouraged, but not required.

Online ~ Sept 9, 2019 

2nd annual online lighting event!

Once again, for World Suicide Prevention Action Day, Cosplay for Hope will be hosting a Facebook event to share your lighted prop in honor of someone who struggles (maybe even for yourself) and for someone lost to suicide.

Let's light up Facebook with our wands, lanterns, candles, tesseracts, lighted swords, orbs, infinity stones, gauntlet, lightsabers, sonic screwdrivers, game controllers, rings, etc. for mental health & suicide prevention.

Plaza PopCon ~ Apr 27, 2019 

Cosplay for Hope was honored to take part in a free afternoon of comics, science fiction, and pop culture at our 2nd annual Plaza PopCon!

Featuring:
Artist Alley!
Community Organizations!
Interactive kids events!
Cosplayers!
A Breakout Room!
Gaming!

Lee's Summit North HS ~ Apr 27, 2019 

Cosplay for Hope helped organize and attended the 2nd annual WEllness Walk (WE WALK!) for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness. 

Planet Comicon ~ Mar 30, 2019 

Attendees learned about the art of cosplay and how being part of a fandom is a positive coping mechanism.

Panelists will discuss cosplay as a coping mechanism and how being part of a fandom has positive effects on mental health and can potentially aid in suicide prevention. Panelists will also be sharing how being part of a fandom has been beneficial to their own mental health.

There has not been a lot of research on this topic. All panelists are excited to discuss their perspectives and how these ground-breaking discoveries will benefit society as a whole.

Planet Comicon ~ Mar 30, 2019 

So many geeks face challenges daily, just because we’re a little bit different. We like weird TV shows, we wear weird clothes, we prefer books and pets to people, we feel anxious in social situations, while desperately wanting to feel included. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and a list of other mental health issues. This moderated panel will address these issues and share resources and personal stories of encouragement so you, too, can find A New Hope and Live Long and Prosper.

Warrensburg, MO ~ Jan 12, 2019 

Cosplay for Hope was honored to attend the Plaza Library dressed as our favorite characters! There will be games, food and, of course, lots of dancing! Prizes will be awarded during the Cosplay Contest!

Ages 11 to 18

Doors open at 7 pm and no one will be admitted after 8 pm. Teens can leave anytime before 10 pm but reentry will not be permitted.

Parents will not be allowed to attend the Ball but we have a lovely lobby that they can wait in!

Kansas City, MO ~ Nov 17, 2018 

Cosplay for Hope will be hosting an all-day virtual lighting event. Much like a candlelight vigil, use some time on this day to share a guiding light in the darkness. In many stories we follow, a torch or lantern of sorts tend to be used to light the character's way through surroundings of darkness.

On World Suicide Prevention Day, we invite you to find a torch, lamp, lantern, even a candle to help light the way on this journey that can grow dark for many. Please light it in honor of or in memory of someone close to you if you have been touched by mental conditions, suicide, or both, then feel free to share your picture and message here and/or on our main page. Even if you haven't been touched, but support those who battle every day, then please join us on this journey.

Be that light to someone's darkness; help them along the path to continue toward more life adventure.

Hope to see you & your light on Monday, September 10th!

Warrensburg, MO ~ Oct 29, 2018 

In this forum we will discuss suicide among youth and adults in our community. This facilitated brainstorming session will collectively answer the following three questions:
-What are we currently doing to prevent suicide?
-What should/can we be doing?
-How do we implement our plan?

Have you personally been affected by suicide? If you have lost someone to suicide, please bring a photo of your loved one to display. We will create a visual of the impact suicide has on our community. You will take the picture when you leave.

JoCoMo CIT Council is a local program whose purpose is to equip Police to deal with people in mental health crisis. 

Online ~ Sept 10, 2018 

Cosplay for Hope will be hosting an all-day virtual lighting event. Much like a candlelight vigil, use some time on this day to share a guiding light in the darkness. In many stories we follow, a torch or lantern of sorts tend to be used to light the character's way through surroundings of darkness.

On World Suicide Prevention Day, we invite you to find a torch, lamp, lantern, even a candle to help light the way on this journey that can grow dark for many. Please light it in honor of or in memory of someone close to you if you have been touched by mental conditions, suicide, or both, then feel free to share your picture and message here and/or on our main page. Even if you haven't been touched, but support those who battle every day, then please join us on this journey.

Be that light to someone's darkness; help them along the path to continue toward more life adventure.

Hope to see you & your light on Monday, September 10th!

Warrensburg, MO ~ Sept 7, 8, 9, 2018 

Cosplay for Hope was honored to be part of the amazing Retro Ex Gaming for Community event organized by Retrograde Charitable Toy and Videogame Museum! 

Warrensburg, MO ~ August 25, 2018 

Cosplay for Hope hosted their first Mini Hope Con & Walk for Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention!

Kansas City, MO ~ Aug 18, 2018 

Cosplay for Hope was asked to bring information to this event at the Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch. Co-Founder & team member, Erica, got out there to share information at the event hosted by The Intentional Woman Author, Brandy Bonner. Beautiful morning of mental health & suicide prevention immersion! 

Kansas City, MO ~ Aug 3, 2018 

Cosplay for Hope was honored to have been invited to Lindsey's beautiful art exhibit, Faces After Suicide. Thank you Lindsey, for being a voice.  

Independence, MO ~ May 31, 2018 

72 needed to assemble!

Cosplay for Hope was thrilled to bring a screening of the Kevin Hines movie "Suicide: The Ripple Effect" to be screened. We would love for our cosminity, connies, and geeks to come on out. This event was planned to also help Cosplay for Hope move toward becoming a non-profit! Come in cosplay, your favorite fandom shirt, fandom-inspired/cosplay-lite outfit, or just come!

Kansas City, MO ~ May 5, 2018 

The first-ever Plaza PopCon, a free, all ages Comic and Pop-Culture Convention! 

Overland Park, KS ~ May 5, 2018 

The newly formed organization arranged and organized the suicide prevention walk in honor of loved ones lost or those who struggled with mental health.

Lee's Summit North HS ~ Apr 28, 2018 

The newly formed organization arranged and organized the suicide prevention walk in honor of loved ones lost or those who struggled with mental health. 

University of Central Missouri ~ Apr 21, 2018 

The newly formed organization arranged and organized the suicide prevention walk in honor of loved ones lost or those who struggled with mental health. 

Stealth Con ~ Apr 8, 2018 

Attendees learned about the art of cosplay and how being part of a fandom is a positive coping mechanism.

Panelists will discuss cosplay as a coping mechanism and how being part of a fandom has positive effects on mental health and can potentially aid in suicide prevention. We also consider that cosplay is in essence, an art and how that relates to coping and mental health. Panelists will also be sharing how being part of a fandom has been beneficial to their own mental health.

There has not been a lot of research on this topic. All panelists are excited to discuss their research findings and how these ground-breaking discoveries will benefit society as a whole.

Planet Comicon ~ Feb 18, 2018 

So many geeks face challenges daily, just because we’re a little bit different. We like weird TV shows, we wear weird clothes, we prefer books and pets to people, we feel anxious in social situations, while desperately wanting to feel included. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and a list of other mental health issues. This moderated panel will address these issues and share resources and personal stories of encouragement so you, too, can find A New Hope and Live Long and Prosper. 

Planet Comicon ~ Feb 17, 2018 

Attendees learned about the art of cosplay and how being part of a fandom is a positive coping mechanism.

Panelists will discuss cosplay as a coping mechanism and how being part of a fandom has positive effects on mental health and can potentially aid in suicide prevention. Panelists will also be sharing how being part of a fandom has been beneficial to their own mental health.

There has not been a lot of research on this topic. All panelists are excited to discuss their research findings and how these ground-breaking discoveries will benefit society as a whole.