Southeast Missouri State University will observe Suicide Prevention Week across campus Sept. 9-13 with events for students, faculty and staff that raise awareness and share prevention efforts.
The focus of this years week is to encourage students to rethink and prioritize mental health and overall well-being, said John Nimmo, substance use counselor with Southeasts Counseling and Disability Services. Exciting additions to this years prevention week efforts are planned to increase campus awareness and use of resources. These include a campus community wellness fair and outreach with Ask, Listen, Refer suicide prevention information.
Beginning Sept. 9 and throughout the week, Southeast students, faculty and staff are encouraged to join in a Suicide Prevention Week 2019 social media blast. Counseling and Disability Services and the Redhawk Health Educators social media accounts will feature Facebook and Twitter account posts about 2019 Suicide Prevention Week events and resources from the National Suicide Prevention Text Line and Lifeline.
Torie Grogan, counselor with Counseling and Disability Services, encourages everyone to join in our posting frenzy by sharing and posting the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 and Text Line at 741741 as widely as possible to create awareness and connection to resources for support.
Counseling and Disability Services has relocated to the newly renovated Crisp Hall and is now open in its new space. Among its services, the office provides online and face-to-face suicide prevention trainings athttp://www.asklistenrefer.org/semo.
The Counselor Training Clinic, located in Scully Building, Room 318, provides confidential mental health counseling services by graduate practicum and internship students. The clinic also offers outreach presentations and mental health screenings on campus. Resources are available at https://semo.edu/_archive/eduleadcounsel/counselor-training-clinic.html.
Additionally, Redhawk Health Educators provide peer support and outreach events on mental health, wellness and prevention topics. For a list of upcoming events, visit http://www.semo.edu/peered/special-events.html.
Suicide Prevention Week events include:
Mental Health and Wellness Fair
Sept. 10, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., University Center Third Floor Lobby
This years fair theme is Wellness RewindRethinking Mental Health and Wellness. Visit with campus and local community mental health personnel as they share information and resources, giveaways and guidance. Free, confidential depression screenings will be provided by Southeasts Counselor Education Training Clinic and Counseling and Disability Services. Attendees are invited to dress in 1960s, 70s and 80s attire to complement and have fun with the wellness rewind theme.
Build Your Own De-Stress Kit
Sept. 11, 11 a.m.-1p.m., University Center third floor lobby
The Redhawk Health Educators will host this event for the campus community to create their own personalized free de-stress kit. All materials will be provided.
Ask, Listen, Refer Pop-Up Prevention Shop
Sept. 11, 11:30 a.m.-1p.m., Towers Complex and the Kenneth and Jeanine Dobbins River Campus Center
Counseling and Disability Services will be on the move sharing Ask, Listen, Refer Suicide Prevention resources across campus. Stop by to pick-up resources on counseling services, mental health support and fun prevention giveaways.
EPIC PALS De-stress with Dogs
Sept. 12, 11:30 a.m.-1p.m., Scully Building Portico
Students can interact with dogs from the Early Prevention Impacts Communitys (EPIC) PALS program.
Ask, Listen, Refer Pop-Up Prevention Shop
Sept. 12, 11:30 a.m.-1p.m., Scully Building Portico and International Village
Students can pick up resources on counseling services, mental health support and fun prevention giveaways.
Balloon Release
Sept. 13, noon, Academic Hall
The Southeast community is invited to participate in a dove-shaped eco-friendly balloon release to promote suicide prevention and awareness on the steps of Academic Hall.
For more information or help, students can contact Counseling and Disability Services at (573) 986-6191 to schedule appointments. After-hours crisis services are available on campus by contacting the Department of Public Safety at (573) 651-2215.
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.