Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and it is on the rise as nearly 50,000 people died by suicide in 2022.
Last week, the university observed Suicide Prevention Week with a series of events, including Disable the Label with Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS) working to let the campus community know about its services.
The annual event allows members of the student body to show support for each other through bonding activities such as decorating hats or writing positive statements on a tree for other students to read.
“Suicide prevention is life-saving work,” said Paige Bartels, director of CAPS. “Research shows that a significant part of suicide prevention is awareness, helping us as a community ensure that we are seeing folks in our community who are in pain or struggling and connecting them to the right help.”
Rebecca Lovatt, CAPS community wellness advocate (CWA), said it is important to help people who are struggling with mental health issues or having suicidal thoughts.
“With the growing prevalence of mental health struggles and suicide on college campuses in the United States,” Lovatt said. “This is an issue that greatly affects myself and others.”
CAPS counselors are involved on campus, including attending SOAR and Charge-In, as well as introducing themselves to the incoming freshman class. Faculty members also include CAPS as a resource when they hand out syllabi.
“CAPS information is always available, and our CWAs do a lot of their outreach via social media, flyers around campus, and through student organizations such as USGA,” said Lovatt.
Bartels said CAPS wants to make sure students know that they are heard and will be accepted if they ask for help, even if students go online and find no appointments available.
“We do offer online counseling but sometimes the slots become all occupied, which would show that there are no appointments available, but CAPS is always accepting of students,” she said.
Bartels and Lovatt suggested that students who know people who are struggling make themselves available.
“Do not be afraid to ask, to be a little intrusive,” said Bartels. “You will never insert the thought into someone’s head if you ask about suicide, it’s okay to ask.”
“You never know what someone is going through,” said Lovatt. “Be kind to everyone you come across. Protect your mental health, seek help if you need it, and help to connect with others that there is help for them.”
CAPS offers multiple therapies to people who are struggling with their mental health, including individual counseling, group therapeutic sessions and a 24/7 Crisis Support. They can be contacted at their phone number, 203-932-7333.
