By Steven Krolak
(NEW ALBANY, Ind.)–IU Southeast is proud to invite the campus community to participate in Mental Health Awareness Week, September 23—28.
The event, now in its fifth year, features a variety of opportunities for education, involvement, reflection and activism.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-age Americans, lending a particular urgency to this effort.
What began with the campus hosting an Out of the Darkness Walk as a benefit for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has grown to focus on a broader range of mental health topics, such as anxiety and eating disorders.
Alongside its traditional features, this year’s event includes a panel presentation on eating disorders, expanded mental health screenings to include anxiety, and a screening and discussion of “The ‘S’ Word,” an award-winning film about suicide.
Dr. Michael Day, director of Personal Counseling Services, believes the event has wrought a palpable change in temperament on campus.
“The week has helped to increase the comfort of faculty, students, and staff talking about mental health issues and making referrals to counseling and other support resources,” Day said. “It has increased the number of students participating in counseling and the number of faculty and staff consulting with the counseling center. I hope, and believe, it has also made everyone on our campus even more supportive of one another.”
A guide to Mental Health Awareness Week:
| Monday, Sept. 23 and Thursday, Sept. 26 | Free Confidential Mental Health Screenings 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. University Center, Lower Level |
| Tuesday, Sept. 24 | Health and Wellness Resource Fair 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. McCullough Plaza |
| Eating Disorders Panel Discussion 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Library, Third Floor | |
| Wednesday, Sept. 25 | “The ‘S’ Word” – Movie about suicide, followed by discussion 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Library, Third Floor |
| Saturday, Sept. 28 | Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. walk McCullough Plaza |
For more information or to register go to: https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=6559
Or contact IU Southeast Personal Counseling at micaday@ius.edu or 812-941-2244.