Numerous suicide awareness events planned this month

Suicide is a major public health concern that touches many lives. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide each year than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, combined. In an effort to raise awareness of this issue, September is designated as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, as well as Positive Outlook Month, in order to emphasize the power of positive coping and resiliency. Join us throughout the month in wearing yellow ribbons for suicide awareness, available at the Counseling Center; University Health Center; Recreation, Fitness & Wellness Center; Housing and Residence Life main office; and Dean of Students Office.      

Yellow ribbon campaign

Help promote awareness of the issue of suicide and its prevention by supporting our annual yellow ribbon campaign. These yellow ribbons are an integral way to increase suicide awareness to the USI community and you can help by wearing a ribbon and giving a ribbon to a student or colleague.

Yellow ribbons are available to be picked up at the Counseling Center; University Health Center; Dean of Students Office; Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center; and Housing and Residence Life main office. You may also request a ribbon by contacting Dr. Stephanie Cunningham at scunningha@usi.edu and she will send yellow ribbons to your office or department.           

September 11 - 15: World Suicide Prevention and Awareness social media campaign

September 10 is recognized annually around the globe as a day to raise awareness about the issue of suicide and its prevention. Engage with the Counseling Center on Facebook and Twitter throughout this week for information on suicide myths, resources for helping a friend who might be struggling, and facts about the scope of this major public health problem. Use hashtag #BW2DW to join the discussion and help spread the word. (Co-sponsored with partners from the Be Well to Do Well initiative)

September 13: Unity Project, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Carter Hall

As Albion Fellows Bacon Center, the primary sponsor of this event, describes it: "No matter our differences, we are all connected by something. UNITY is a larger-than-life public art structure that examines how our labels both help us and limit us from coming together. Participants of all ages will have the opportunity to tie colorful yarn to posts that reflect their identities. As a result, their yarn intertwines with others' to create a web of interconnectedness." Come be a part of this celebration of community. (Co-sponsored with campus partners from the Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention committee)

September 19: DOSO's Positive Outlook Month resource table, noon - 2 p.m. on the Quad

The Dean of Students Office is hosting a number of events and programs in September to help encourage resilience, community, and a positive perspective. Visit their information table this afternoon for giveaways and information about coping with distress, helping a friend in need and preventing suicide. This event will honor Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month with a visual display to represent the number of people in Indiana who die by suicide each day. Join us to learn more.

September 19: 13 Reasons Why Not: Suicide Prevention and the Media, from 4 - 5 p.m., in the Performance Center lobby

The popularity of the television series 13 Reasons Why has gotten a lot of folks talking about the issue of suicide, but did it do more harm than good? Join us for a discussion of responsible representation of suicide in the media and the impact of how suicide is portrayed can have on consumers of that media. We will also address the role we can all play in preventing suicide, the significance of bystander intervention and resources for help. In addition to these practical skills and information, students at the discussion will receive a t-shirt courtesy of the Dean of Students Office. (Co-sponsored with partners from the Be Well to Do Well initiative)

September 20: The Power Hour, noon - 1 p.m. at the Multicultural Center in University Center East

The Multicultural Center and the Counseling Center have partnered for a monthly lunchtime event at which students come together to discuss the intersection of their diverse identities, political issues, and their personal experiences at USI. Pizza and beverages will be provided.

September 21: QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training 3:30 - 6:30 p.m., in Carter Hall

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer - 3 simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. All members of the university community are invited to participate in this training, and separate concurrent sessions will be offered for students and faculty/staff. Space is limited and pre-registration for this event is required. Complete the online registration.

 September 26: Be Well to Do Well: Suicide Prevention Month resource table, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the University Center North

September is recognized annually around the globe as a time to raise awareness about the issue of suicide and its prevention. Visit our resource table today to get your yellow ribbon for suicide awareness, pick up some resources on how you can help prevent suicide, and learn more about how social support affects well-being. (Co-sponsored with partners from the Be Well to Do Well initiative)

September 27: Student and Employee Wellness Fair, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Carter Hall

Come see the Counseling Center and dozens of other health and wellness providers at the annual USI Student and Employee Wellness Fair. We will be giving away freebies, offering mental health resources on a range of topics and providing on-site mental health screening to assess for symptoms of depression and anxiety.