Southeast to observe Suicide Prevention Week from Monday through Sept. 14

Awareness training and a resource fair are among the events planned for Southeast Missouri State University�s observation of Suicide Prevention Week from Monday through Sept. 14, according to a university news release.

�As members of the campus community, we each have the ability to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and create welcoming spaces where students, faculty and staff can talk openly about mental health,� Torie Grogan, counselor with Southeast�s Counseling and Disability Services, said in the release.

Grogan said suicidal thoughts are common, and campus resources are available, as are community mental health partners.

�Suicide Prevention Week is vital to promoting these resources and building connections that facilitate suicide prevention as a continuous effort supported by our campus community,� Grogan said in the release.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255). There are also Crisis Text Line Services available by texting HOME to 741741.

According to the release, Suicide Prevention Week events include:

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday: Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend the Mental Wellness Resource Fair in the University Center lobby. Visit with campus and local community mental health resources, including the Counselor Training Clinic, Community Counseling Center, a VA Suicide Prevention coordinator, Redhawk Health Educators, Gibson Center and more. Free, confidential depression screenings will be provided by Southeast�s Counselor Education Training Clinic and Counseling and Disability Services. Additionally, the fair will host an �Ask, Listen Refer Suicide Prevention Training Drive,� with opportunities for giveaways and resources to boost mental health.
• Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday: A free Step UP! Bystander Intervention Training session will be held in the University Center Tribute Room. Step UP! is a prosocial behavior and bystander intervention program that educates students and staff to be proactive in helping others. During this training, participants will raise their awareness of helping behaviors, increase motivation to help, develop skills and confidence when responding to problems or concerns, and ensure the safety and well-being of themselves and others.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 12: The Redhawk Health Educators will host a �Build Your Own De-Stress Kit� event in the University Center lobby. All materials will be provided for participants to create a free kit.
• Noon to 1:30 p.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 13: Two free Question Persuade Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training sessions will be held in the University Center Redhawks Room. QPR Training is a suicide prevention module that provides participants with the tools necessary to recognize warning signs and refer individuals who may be at risk for suicide to treatment resources. Participants only need to attend one session.
• Noon Sept. 14: The Southeast community will hold a balloon release to promote suicide prevention and awareness on the steps of Academic Hall.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630