Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 to 34 in 2016 according to the National Institute of Mental Health. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Milligan’s Student Government Organization sponsored their own week for suicide awareness and prevention Sept. 17-21.
Monday was social media day, where Milligan’s SGA posted their social media plans for the upcoming week as well as facts about suicide. On Twitter, they encouraged students to participate in the week so they could learn, help and prevent. On Instagram, they posted myths around the topic of suicide and the correct facts behind the myths.
On Tuesday there was a banner outside of the cafeteria where students were encouraged to place a handprint. This was to show support and let others know they are not alone.
“I liked the idea of our handprints on a poster to show people they’re not alone,” said senior exercise science major Keila Trevino. “There have been seasons in my college life where I needed to know that others cared about me. I hope that these events spark an openness to speak up and to listen to each other. It’s not easy being depressed in a place like Milligan that is full of what seems like happy people. It’s much easier to put on a mask than to be real about our pain. But I hope someone who reads this or sees that poster changes their mind and finds someone who they can talk to whether it’s me or not.”
Wednesday evening there was a Question, Persuade, Refer training. This event taught students how to recognize signs of suicidal thoughts, and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help.
Then Thursday at Emmanuel’s chapel service there was a presentation on ministry and suicide prevention.
To wrap up the week, there was a chalk activity on Friday where students were able to encourage other students by writing messages or whatever they pleased with the chalk across campus.
SGA posted that they hoped this week would be a step in stopping the stigma of mental illness/suicide, help students know they are not alone, lead students to resources in the area, and help students become allies on campus.