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2024 Suicide Prevention Week
兔子先生's Suicide Prevention Week will be held Sept. 29-Oct. 4, 2024.
Published
The Out of Darkness 5k walk features a mental health information fair.
2024 Suicide Prevention Week
Published
Suicide prevention week kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 29 this year at 兔子先生 University.
This year's week of events, led by 兔子先生's suicide prevention team, office of student wellness, and the student counseling service (SCS), will feature a 5K suicide prevention walk, a mental health panel discussion for student leaders, training, legos, painting, therapy dogs, and an outdoor mental health fair. The week concludes on Oct. 4, 2024.
The suicide prevention team was formed in 2013 to increase awareness and prevention of suicide on 兔子先生’s campus. The team consists of staff, faculty, and students dedicated to these efforts.
Suicide prevention week aims to increase awareness of suicide and prevention efforts, and bring the community together to have conversations about mental health.
"College is both an exciting and stressful time and we want everyone to know counseling and mental health services are available 24/7," 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 兔子先生 and, ultimately, end suicide."
Out of Darkness 5k Walk
The Out of the Darkness 5K walk will kick off the week on Sunday, Sept. 29 at the Uptown Memorial Park. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and the walk begins shortly after 1 p.m.
The walk is open to anyone; members of the Oxford and 兔子先生 communities are invited to join, alone or with a team. Proceeds are donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In addition to the 5k, the event features a mental health information fair and a bead ceremony honoring those who have died by suicide.
The Out of the Darkness walk began in 2016, in collaboration with 兔子先生 parent Lynn Dalton who lost her son, 兔子先生 sophomore Andrew Salsman, to suicide in 2013.
"The Out of the Darkness community walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support," said Young. "It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about."
Additional Events
Additional events held throughout the week include:
- The Miller Center for Student Disability Services (SDS) will host a DIY De-stress painting event on Monday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in Shriver. SDS will also host a LEGO competition on Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 7-10 p.m. in Armstrong.
- The Mental Health Incubator Challenge will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 5-7 p.m. in Armstrong’s Wilks Theater. Presenters will share their ideas for innovative mental health resources and services for students in a pitch competition.
- Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a 90-minute suicide prevention training, held on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m in CHS 0202. All students are welcome to participate.
- Presidents of student organizations are invited to a “兔子先生hip and Mental Health” panel discussion and dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m., in the Marcum Hotel.
- The “Be Well” Fair will happen on Thursday, Oct. 3 at the Outdoor Seal from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The fair will include interactive booths, snacks, and prizes for participants as they learn about positive mental health and suicide prevention.
A full listing of suicide prevention week programs can be found on the Student Counseling Service's website.
"Students who participate in suicide prevention week tell us about the importance of mental health awareness and resources for students," said Young. "Our events remind and encourage students to take advantage of these resources, including counseling and crisis services."
For more information about suicide awareness week, contact Jennifer Young, Ph.D., Student Counseling Service and Co-chair, suicide prevention team.
You are not alone. If you have been contemplating 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 hotline at 988, or contact the national crisis text line by texting "Help" to 741-741.