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Suicide Prevention Week: UNT

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Marissa Ramirez
Orooj Syed
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UNT chapter.

This week marks an important awareness campaign for the University of North Texas. On March 23, 2017 UNT hosted an public event aimed at preventing college suicide. Hundreds of backpacks lined the campus with descriptions of personal suicide stories. Their loved ones painfully recalled the moment they realized they were gone. These backpacks represent the countless lives that were lost to suicide and depression. However, they also represent how we can fight against suicide in the future.

UNT is only one of hundreds of college campuses affected by suicide and depression. Every day, many lives are lost to this epidemic. Unfortunately, this issue is extremely prevalent among young people. There is an increase of college-related stress about future jobs, friends, and family relationships. All of this stress can easily take over one’s viewpoint on life.

According to DoSomething.org,

  1. Nearly 30,000 Americans commit suicide every year.

  2. In the U.S., suicide rates are highest during the spring.

  3. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds and 2nd for 24 to 35-year-olds.

  4. On average, 1 person commits suicide every 16.2 minutes.

  5. Each suicide intimately affects at least 6 other people.

However, there is hope in this situation. We all have the power to positively influence those around us. One can volunteer for a public demonstration, or even offer a kind word to someone in need. One thing to note: never go silent on this issue. If someone appears to be suffering from any range of emotional health, offer them resources to cope and move through their current issue. The worst thing anyone can do is ignore them and stay silent.

If you notice anyone demonstrating signs of suicide, here are some helpful resources.

Denton County MHMR Center

Denton County MHMR Center is a local Non-Profit Community Center specializing in the treatment of and service delivery to individuals in Denton County with a mental health diagnosis.

http://www.dentonmhmr.org/

Call  1-800-762-0157

UNT  Counseling and Testing Services

Counseling and Testing Services (CTS) provides comprehensive psychological services to University of North Texas students.

http://studentaffairs.unt.edu/ counseling-and-testing- services

Call 1-940-565-2741

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

https:// suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Call 1-800-273-8255

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Marissa is an Communications Design major at University of North Texas. She aspires to positively use her artistic abilities to create Advertisements and/or Marketing materials that convey a strong message.
Orooj Syed is a senior at the University of North Texas, majoring in Biology and minoring in Criminal Justice. Between balancing her academics and extracurricular activities, she enjoys finding new places to travel and new foods to eat. Writing has always been one of her greatest passions and, next to sleeping, she considers it a form of free therapy.