The University of Mississippi Counseling Center has spread seven displays across campus — pegboards with paper notes written by passersby hanging from colorful ribbons. There were suns, hearts and flowers drawn around messages of hope on the square notes.
“I have been there, and I’m extremely happy I did not go through with it,” one note says. “Life is worth living! You got this!”
These displays were messages for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, exhibited as part of the counseling center’s #UrMportant campaign for Suicide Awareness Month, counseling center graduate assistant and counselor education Ph.D. student Rachel McClain said.
This is the first year that the suicide awareness boards have been used.
“We asked people to leave some words and messages of hope for people in our campus community that may be struggling with thoughts of suicide,” McClain said. “Some people have left religous messages, some people have left personal testimonials on their struggles with suicide and mental health and then some people have given phone numbers like, ‘Hey, I care. You’re not alone in this. Please call me if you feel that you don’t have anyone else. I’m here.’”
Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34 and the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States in 2017, according to the CDC.
“Problems that precipitate suicide are usually temporary ones,” McClain said. “Problems in romantic relationships, academics and finances are stressful — especially for freshmen. This is one reason why college students are at high risk.”
Between 2001 and 2017, the total suicide in the United States increased by 31%, according to the CDC.
“It was nice seeing dozens and dozens of notes of encouragement out there,” Pittman Hall community assistant Taylor Coe said. “The only thing I could think of to improve it was put the notes in a place that students don’t have to be seen to get them.”
The boards, inspired by a similar campaign at the University of Michigan, could be found in the Turner Center, the South Campus Recreational Center, Lester Hall, Pittman Hall and the FedEx Student Athlete Center, McClain said.
“I did see people stopping and looking,” Turner Center employee De’Jour Fox said. “I feel like it had a good impact.”
The counseling center will continue its Suicide Awareness Month campaign by holding a candlelight vigil on Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Circle, where guest speaker and local social worker Lee Jones will talk about her personal experiences relating to suicide.
“There will be a space available to write names and leave pictures of people that attendees wish to remember,” McClain said. “Counselors from the (University Counseling Center) will be available for those in attendance that may need additional support, and we will have resources available for people in the community that do not have access to (our) services.”
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. The counseling center is on the third floor of Lester Hall and can be reached at 662-915-3784. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
From noon to 4:15 p.m. the UCC provides a triage service for crisis situations. For emergencies after 5 p.m., students can call UPD at 662-915-7234 to be put in touch with a counselor.
