Suicide Prevention Month kicked off on Monday, Sept. 15, with a focus on YOU.
Activities at UTM for Suicide Prevention Month started with a skit that discussed domestic violence, following a domestic violence specialist speaking on finding resources and removing yourself from dangerous situations.
On Sept. 17 Student Health and Counseling hosted a Men’s Health Talk Show where they had a diverse panel of male students discussing the stigma behind mental health treatment; treatments they seek themselves, and general discussion on common mental health issues college students face.
“I seek advice from my mom, she’s great at helping me work through my problems. Also I exercise, it helps me clear my mind and calm down so I can make good decisions about the situation,” said UTM student Kendall White.
“I go to church if I’m dealing with something, that’s how I work it and I also talk with my pastor,” said Social Work major Joe Nelson.
A web site scavenger hunt was held on Thursday, Sept. 18, in the University Center to educate students on the resources and services that the student health and counseling services on campus provides. It also allows students to partner with Student health and counseling services by allowing them to also advocate for seeking help.
The week ended on Friday with a big bang. Student Health and Counseling set up a display of 1,100 bags filled with balloons all across campus to represent the 1,100 students who commit suicide each year.
“I just wanted the students on our campus to know we’re here for them and that there are resources out there for them so that they’re not a part of this 1,100 college students,” said Student Health and Counseling Services Coordinator II, Johnna Cosby.
They also had numerous bags without balloons that had whiteboard sheets attached on displays for students to write positive messages of what they do to maintain their own mental health, and handed out bags with stress balls, pamphlets, styluses, car chargers, and candy to students.
