Southeast Missouri State University to host events for suicide prevention week

Southeast Missouri State University will hold a number of events this week to raise awareness and promote suicide prevention.

“Suicide is one of the leading mental concerns of our nation,” Tim Hakenwerth, graduate assistant with the substance-abuse presentation and education program on campus, said in a news release.

“Southeast and the greater Southeast Missouri communities have made substantial efforts to improve awareness and prevention. We hope that through our heightened events during Suicide Prevention Week our students and community members will be empowered to share their stories, reach out to others who may be struggling and advocate for better mental health in the community”

Lynsea Casey, graduate assistant with the campus-violence prevention program, said in the same new release: “We want individuals to walk away from our events and be able to use their awareness and education to help others, because what is the point of awareness and education if you don’t use it?”

Monday through Wednesday, counseling and disability services in collaboration with the counselor training clinic will provide free, confidential depression screenings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the University Center lobby, according to the news release.

On Tuesday, the Southeast Regional Support Center will provide free “teens, mental-health first-aid training” from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the University Center’s Heritage Room. The training will prepare people to assess for suicidal risk, listen non-judgmentally, give resources and information, and encourage professional help and self-care strategies. Registration was required by last week.

The public is invited to participate in a dove-shaped balloon release at noon Thursday in front of Academic Hall in recognition of suicide-prevention awareness.

On Friday, campus health educators will host “Puppies for Prevention” on Academic Terraces from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to promote healthy stress reduction strategies.

The series of events will conclude Sept. 25 with the Out of the Darkness Community Suicide Prevention Walk, which will begin at noon at Cape County Park North. Registration and check-in for the walk begin at 10 a.m.

To register for the walk, visit www.outofthedarkness.org.

Pertinent address:

1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, Mo.