TROY - Troy University's Department of Counseling and Psychology, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts' Big Read program, the University's Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement and CGI, will offer a series of events focused on preventing bullying, cyber-bullying and suicide.

Bully Proof, as the series is known, will kick off at 7 p.m. on Oct. 6 with "Suicide Prevention: What Parents Need to Know," a presentation by Dr. Stephan Berry, an assistant professor in TROY's Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation and Interpreter Training. The presentation will be held in room 122 of Hawkins Hall on the Troy Campus.

A 5K Bully Proof run will be held Oct. 18 on the square in downtown Troy. The 5K race will get under way at 8 a.m. with a Kid's Fun Run beginning at 9:15 a.m. Live music will be provided by the Benton Brothers Company, The Pot Holes and Jared Henderson. Exhibits and a book read-along for children will also be a part of the activities.

Proceeds from the race will go toward curriculum and personnel to implement anti-bullying and peer helper programs in Pike County and Troy City Schools. Registration is available online at www.bullyproof5k.eventbrite.com.

Activities will continue on Oct. 21, with the presentation "Cyberbulling: What Parents Need to Know and How They Can Support Their Students," by Dr. Adrienne Duke of Auburn University. The event will begin at 7 p.m. in room 122 of Hawkins Hall.

Bully Proof events will conclude on Oct. 23 with a Town Hall Meeting and Candlelight Vigil. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and include an expert panel consisting of administrators, educators, school and clinical mental health counselors and professors discussing the topics of bullying, cyberbullying, the psychological effects of bullying and victimization. The panel will entertain questions from the audience in efforts to raise community awareness on the topics.