Concordia UChapter Speaks Out for Suicide Awareness Month
by Emily Sievert
Concordia’s chapter of To Write Love on Her Arms been spreading awareness for suicide prevention and mental care this week as a part of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
UChapter strives to be a voice of hope for students struggling with depression, anxiety or mental illness.
On Tuesday, the group sponsored an interactive event in Janzow Top centered around the week’s theme “And So I Kept Living,” allowing students to write about what gives them a reason to keep fighting. The wall in Janzow Top displayed messages like “I had a cat to care for” and “God is good and life is worth it.”
“Everybody’s feelings are valid,” junior Taylor Rankel, a UChapter leader said. “We exist to let people know it’s okay to talk about these things.”
The group encourages students to make use of the counselor, nurse and campus pastor. Their website provides hotlines, phone numbers and off-campus resources in the surrounding area.
“Not only is it good to learn how to help those around you, it is also good to learn more about yourself,” Rankel said.
Upcoming events for UChapter include a speaker on “Starving for Perfection” on Sept. 12 and a mental health discussion on Sept. 20.
To learn more or to get involved, contact Taylor Rankel, send an email to cune.twloha@gmail.com or check out the Facebook page at CUNE UChapter.
