Thursday, September 10, marked World Suicide Prevention Day. SUNY Cortland recognized the day with a campus-wide awareness event where over 100 students joined an effort led by Conley Counseling and Wellness Services for one simple message to those contemplating suicide:
There is Hope – And lots of it.
The awareness event was held outside of Cornish-Van Hoesen Hall. The university says in addition to sharing information about mental health resources available as well as the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline, organizers of the event created a “hope wall” of student written notes of encouragement to fellow students and peers.
“So many students came out to write an inspirational message in hopes that other students would take them,” said Jennifer Talarico, assistant director of counseling services. “We were flooded.”
SUNY Cortland says the event was just part of a larger system-wide initiative to increase awareness and promote mental health resources during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month for September.
“Mental health is health, and across SUNY’s campuses, we recognize that addressing and protecting mental health is an essential component of achieving academic excellence and student success,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “During Suicide Prevention Month, I want to ensure that we raise awareness, so SUNY students are fully aware of the resources and support available to them throughout their academic journeys.”
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college aged adults and college students in the country. It is estimated 1,100 student suicides occur on college campuses every year.
Talarico said the SUNY Cortland event focused on promoting awareness and prevention on a topic that continues to be a priority, from counseling centers to residence halls to classrooms. Cortland students lined up to participate and they shared emotional stories while penning notes of encouragement for others.
“They said things like, ‘I’m a senior now, but when I was a freshman, I really wish someone had given me these words of advice that I mattered or things would get better,’” Talarico said. “It’s so important to create those connections — whether it’s through counseling or friends or loved ones or even online — to build that sense of hope that things can get better.”
She continued on to say the success of SUNY Cortland’s efforts during World Suicide Prevention Day amplified the importance of conversations about suicide throughout the year.
