2025 Suicide Prevention Week
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Suicide Prevention Week will be held Sept. 28-Oct. 3, 2025.
The 2025 suicide prevention week begins Sunday, Sept. 28 at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University.
Since 2013, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s suicide prevention team has partnered with the office of student wellness and the student counseling service (SCS) to lead a week of events to raise awareness of mental health resources while creating space for our community to come together in support of mental health.
“We offer many different types of events during suicide prevention week to spread the word about the variety of mental health resources both on and off-campus,” said Jennifer Young, Ph.D., psychologist and associate director for community engagement at the student counseling service. "When we all work together, we can improve the emotional well-being of everyone at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú and, ultimately, end suicide.”
During the week, students, faculty, and staff can join events focused on mental health and suicide prevention. The schedule includes a 2K walk for suicide prevention, dog and horse therapy, an outdoor mental health fair, crafts, and training. Events continue through Friday, Oct. 3.
Out of Darkness 2K Walk
The Out of the Darkness Walk opens suicide prevention week on Sunday, Sept. 28. This event brings ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú and the Oxford community together to raise awareness and support suicide prevention. Registration and resource tables begin at 12:30 p.m. in Uptown Park, followed by a brief ceremony at 1 p.m. and a 2K walk through Uptown in support and remembrance of those lost.
“The walk was one of the first times I truly felt the tight-knit support of people who care about mental health,” shared Emma Halcomb '25, former president of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Hope.
The Out of the Darkness Walk began in 2016 in collaboration with ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú parent Lynn Dalton, who lost her son, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú sophomore Andrew Salsman, to suicide in 2013.
The event is sponsored by the student counseling service and office of student wellness at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú. Registration is available at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúOH.edu/OutOfDarknessWalk or on-site the day of the walk.
Additional Events
Additional events held throughout the week include:
- Messages of Hope will take place Monday through Thursday, Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Wellness Studio, Room 2002 of the Clinical Health Sciences Building. Students can stop by to create and share notes of encouragement.
- Connected in Kindness: Painting Rocks will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Armstrong Atrium. Students will paint rocks with uplifting messages to promote resilience and positivity.
- Be Well: Mental Health Resource Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Outdoor Seal, outside Upham and Roudebush. The fair will include interactive booths, snacks, and prizes for participants as they learn about positive mental health and suicide prevention.
- Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a 90-minute suicide prevention training that will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in McGuffey 418. All students are welcome.
- DIY De-Stress with the Miller Center takes place on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Shriver Center 304. Students can drop in to make calming crafts and take part in creative self-care while connecting with others.
A full listing of suicide prevention week programs can be found on the student counseling service's website.
These events aim to give students space to learn, connect, and feel supported.
“We want students to know there is help available 24/7 and that it is a sign of strength to reach out for help," said Young. "Don't give up. You matter.”
For more information about suicide prevention week, contact , Ph.D., student counseling service and co-chair, suicide prevention team.
You are not alone. If you have been thinking about suicide and need immediate mental health support, please reach out for help. Dial 911, go to your local emergency room, call the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 988, or text MUHOPE to 741-741.