Dilbeck to encourage UD students to be everyday heroes

2:55 p.m., Oct. 4, 2012--Mike Dilbeck, the founder of the Response Ability Project, will speak at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23, in the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall about the tools students can use to help others who exhibit or are targets of negative and unhealthy behavior. The event is open to everyone and no tickets are necessary.

Dilbeck travels the country to teach others about the negative effects of passive bystanders and encourages people to step in and help when others are in need.

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“The mission of the Response Ability project is to empower people to intervene in everyday situations so they can be the everyday heroes that they want to be,” said Dilbeck.

Dilbeck will explain three powerful tools students can use to assess unhealthy or negative behavior, ranging from alcohol overdose to sexual assault to derogatory comments, and act accordingly to help those in need.

During his speeches, Dilbeck interacts with the crowd. He encourages the audience to take out their phones and send him texts discussing their personal experiences. Dilbeck responds to every text after his speech.

Dilbeck said he will not lecture the students who come to his speech. Instead, he will empower them.

"I'm going to challenge them. I'm not here to talk down to them, I'm here to show them how to be the heroes that they are," he said. 

Lauren Gibson, prevention specialist at Student Wellness and Health Promotion, said she would like UD students to implement the things they learn from the speech in everyday life around campus. 

“They can do something; they have it in them,” said Gibson about UD students. “If one person steps up, other people are likely to get involved as well.”

Student Wellness and Health Promotion, the Blue Hen Leadership Program, V-Day, and the Office of Equity and Inclusion will sponsor the event. 

For more information on Dilbeck and the Response Ability Project, click here. 

Article by Kelley Bregenzer