Bringing Awareness to Suicide Prevention Month at NC State

By: John Dunning’20, business administration

#StigmaFree is a straightforward hashtag with a very big mission: save lives. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, there are 41,000 Americans that die by suicide each year. In response, people across the country have taken organized action to combat this disheartening reality and remove the stigma against mental health and conversations relating to suicide.

Suicide prevention month aims to bring awareness to this issue every September. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a big player in organizing and promoting this initiative as well as the originators of the #StigmaFree hashtag. The organization uses the month to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals who may experience suicidal thoughts to treatment services. NAMI believes that just one conversation can change a life. Suicide is often the result of untreated mental health concerns and does not discriminate. People of any age, gender, or background can be affected directly or indirectly.

NC State is taking big steps toward continuing the fight for mental health and suicide awareness. On September 26 the university will host “Fresh Check Day,” a signature program of the Jordan Porco Foundation. The goal of the event is to inspire campus-wide conversation around these topics in an approachable and hopeful atmosphere. The foundation describes the day as an uplifting mental health fair that includes peer-run interactive booths, free food, music and exciting giveaways, building a bridge between students and the mental health resources available on campus, in the community and nationally.

In addition to Fresh Check Day, NC State has several other initiatives surrounding mental health, suicide prevention and overall well-being. Also on September 26, the university will host speaker Jamie Tworkowski, founder of To Write Love on Her Arms, a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. This event will be held at 6:00 p.m. in Stewart Theater and is part of Healthy Campus Week which takes place September 24-28.

Another great resource at NC State is Wellness and Recreation’s ThriveWell program which offers a host of holistic health outreach initiatives. This includes services such as wellness coaching, a free service that provides students with education, support and encouragement to develop behaviors for a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, through the Counseling Center, students can receive QPR Training which stands for “Question, Persuade, and Refer.” The Training is intended to teach individuals who have contact with students such as faculty, staff and friends how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, including verbal, behavioral and situational clues.

The university has several resources to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Just one conversation can save a life, join the fight this September and help NC State become #StigmaFree.

5 Tips to Improve and Maintain Your Mental Health

Meditation

The benefit of meditation includes increased concentration and focus as well as improved mental well-being. Many assume that meditation has to be complicated or that it has to take up a lot of your time. All you need is five minutes at any point in your day, but when you wake up or before bed can be very helpful in starting or ending your day in a good mental space.

Improve Your Sleep Hygiene

Committing to a regular sleep schedule can improve and maintain mental health. A lack of sleep can weaken your immune system and exacerbates symptoms of many mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety. Try going to bed just 10 minutes earlier every night and work your way up to the recommended 7-9 of hours of sleep each night.

Move More

Engaging in some form of physical activity each day is a great way to bolster your mental health. Exercise helps to release endorphins, the feel-good hormones released from the brain and nervous system. This gives you an instant mood boost.

Eat Wel

Food is fuel and eating well means you give yourself the best energy possible to burn as you move through your day. Most students know eating well helps your physical health, but it also important for your mental health. Eat your fruits and vegetables every day, along with good brain-boosting foods such as walnuts and dark chocolate.

Engage with your support system

Spending time with people who care about you and those you can be yourself is important for mental health. Spend as much time as possible with your loved ones, whether it’s going to dinner, working out together or just talking openly to someone you care about. Sharing your experience and how you’re feeling with people you trust creates an amazing ripple effect. Not only is talking about our mental health important in managing how we feel, but it encourages others to do the same. This helps to normalize human emotions and challenges in a world that might lead us to believe that we are alone in how we feel.