Day Sheds Light on Suicide Prevention

Each year, approximately 1,100 college students commit suicide, making this the second leading cause of death on college campuses. The resulting impact on campus communities is widespread and devastating.

Today, the Georgia Tech Counseling Center joins other organizations across the globe in supporting suicide prevention by recognizing World Suicide Prevention Day.

World Suicide Prevention Day was organized in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the World Federation for Mental Health. The day serves as a call to action for individuals and organizations to participate in suicide prevention efforts. At Georgia Tech, the opportunities to respond to this call are many:

1. The vast majority of individuals who are suicidal give clues. Visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website to learn the warning signs and risk factors.
2. Most suicidal crises tend to be brief. When crises are detected early and individuals are referred to appropriate resources, lives can be saved. Stop by the Counseling Center tabling event in the Student Center (across from the Post Office) today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to learn more about the resources available to those at risk.
3. Attend a screening of the short film The Truth about Suicide: Real Stories of Depression in College from 7 to 8 p.m. in Room 117 of Smithgall Student Services (Flag) Building. The 26-minute film will be followed by an open discussion.
4. Contact Lacy Currie, coordinator of Suicide Education and Prevention in the Counseling Center, at lacy.currie@vpss.gatech.edu to schedule suicide prevention training for your department, organization, or student group.  
5. Join the social media campaign by visiting www.afsp.org or www.suicidology.org to download World Suicide Prevention day graphics to use as your profile picture. Also, join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram with #stopsuicide.
6. Get a team together to play in the Kappa Sigma fraternity’s Kick the Stigma Games on Saturday, Sept. 26. The event, which is a fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will include kickball, corn hole, bocce, and three-legged race events.

By working together, we can raise awareness across the Georgia Tech campus and reduce the incidence of suicide. Be a part of making a positive impact on mental health and well-being across our campus.