Suicide Prevention Week promotes services for students in need

This week was Suicide Prevention Week, and Ohio University did their part to participate in events meant to call attention to the problems and issues associated with depression and suicide.

Ohio University organizations held several campus events, including a vigil in Scripps Auditorium. Suicide Prevention week is a global event dedicated to shedding light on the tragic reality of suicide and encouraging anyone to speak up and seek help if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts or if they are concerned about someone they know.

At the event, Dean of Student Jenny Hall-Jones spoke about the challenges that surround suicide and coping with that tragedy.

“Suicide Prevention is important so that people realize they are not alone,” says Jones, “[...]you don't any regrets if you've lost somebody.” During her speech, Hall-Jones referred to the student body as a family.

The Post-it club, which organized the vigil, was founded by Bethany Logan, who is currently the president. Last spring, in Glidden Hall there was a suicidal message written in the stairwell. Upon hearing about the message, Logan bought Post-it notes and covered the message with kind words such as 'it gets better' and 'don't give up.' Logan left the post-it notes and some pens on the window sill, and by the end of the day, the stairwell was covered in notes of positive words encouraging this troubled student to keep their head up.

“We want to fight the stigma attached with mental illness,” Anna Eltringham, Post-It Vice President, said.

Freshman Krissy Lotthammer attended the speech with her learning community, and loved the idea. “This was a great idea, people deal with so many struggles,”Lotthammer said.

Students crowded the auditorium to show their support for suicide prevention. The club erected a poster, where attendees could leave messages of encouragement.

“There's healing,” Kaitlyn Flynn, a student in attendance, said, “we've all been there.”

After the Post-it event, Chi Sigma Iota and 317 Suicide board held a “Suicide Vigil” in honor of those who have lost their lives to suicide. Candles were erected at the alumni gates on College Green in remembrance of those lost.

In addition to the student events, the Hudson Health Center held an open house on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 5-7p.m. During this open house, students were free to drop in and ask questions and meet members of the Psychological and Counseling Services staff. Last year, Hudson’s third floor underwent a $750,000 renovation to modernize the offices of resident psychologists and therapists.

Hudson Center is implementing a new program called “Campus Connect.” Campus Connect is a program geared toward healthy students, training them in how to deal with a peer who has expressed suicidal thoughts. Hall-Jones encouraged students to reach out to those in need through this program.

Staff members Ashley Holt, Angela Harris, Michelle Pride and director Fred Weiner strongly encouraged all students to schedule an appointment if they wanted to discuss any of their feelings.

Hudson Health Center has drop in hours between 9:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. every weekday, and can be reached at (74)-593-1616. In cases of emergency, Hudson suggests calling the Ohio University Police Department at (740)-593-1911.