Suicide Prevention Week will be held Sept. 27-Oct. 2
Several events planned, including Out of the Darkness 2K Suicide Prevention Walk
Suicide Prevention Week will be held Sept. 27-Oct. 2
Several events planned, including Out of the Darkness 2K Suicide Prevention Walk
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University’s Student Counseling Service and the suicide prevention team will sponsor Suicide Prevention Week Sept. 27-Oct. 2.
The goal is to help students increase awareness of mental health concerns, especially depression and suicidal thoughts, and to promote mental health resources and suicide prevention in hopes of improving the emotional health of those on campus.
The schedule of events includes the Out of the Darkness , dog and horse therapy, and suicide prevention training. Learn more about the events from this Student Life story.
Having a conversation about suicide helps reduce the stigma “and the closer we get people to the help and support that they need,” said John Ward, director of the Student Counseling Service.
“I hope that events such as these remind students that we, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, care not just about their academics but about the whole of their lived experience — both the highs and lows,” Ward said.
Suicide is the for the 15-34 age group, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It reports that suicide rates in this age group decreased by 4% from 2023 to 2024, declining from 15.9 to 15.2 per 100,000.
For Steve Large, assistant vice president for Student Life - Health and Wellness, one of the most important messages during Suicide Prevention Week is that students don’t have to navigate difficult moments alone.
“ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú is a strong and special community and our campus comes together to support one another, not only in moments of celebration but also when someone is struggling, hurting, or simply having a difficult time,” he said.
Suicide Prevention Week is important because it helps normalize conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. “We want students to know that asking for help is a sign of strength and that there are many ways to connect with support,” he said.
While Student Counseling Service is an important part of that network, Large said, so are friends, roommates, faculty, and staff, student organizations, and other members of the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú community.
He emphasized that suicide prevention is a community responsibility.
“We all have a role to play in creating a campus where people feel seen, valued, connected, and comfortable asking for help,” Large said, noting that you don’t have to have the right words or know exactly what to do. “You can simply let someone know that you care and help connect them to someone who can provide additional support.”
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students have access to:
- Student Counseling Service during business hours.
- Several 24/7 crisis resources, including the H.O.P.E. Line at 855-249-5649 and the Crisis Text Line by texting MUHOPE to 741741.