World Suicide Prevention Day highlights importance of mental health
Students observed the World Suicide Prevention Day in the USC Aiken Quad last Tuesday.
A display in front of the Student Activities Center (SAC) patio highlights the 129 people on average lost to suicide every day. Students led a social media campaign to raise awareness titled #ReasonILive.
On Tuesday evening, students Jenesis Garcia and Paige Davis led a vigil for those lost to suicide, including a 129 second moment of silence.
Afterward, students played the song “1-800-273-8255” written by Logic, Alessia Cara and Khalid. The song shares its name with the phone number of The National Suicide Prevention Hotline and is written from the perspective of a suicidal person.
As the song played, students lit each other’s candles, sharing their flames while standing around the fountain.
Garcia said, “This symbolizes how everyone can make a difference. Even if you share your flame with just one person, it creates a ripple effect that will affect everyone in more ways than you could ever possibly imagine.”
If you or someone you care about are having thoughts of suicide, please call The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Photos by Emma Watts
