McNeese observed World Suicide Prevention Month by holding a World Suicide Prevention Day event Wednesday in the New Ranch.
The McNeese Counseling Center invited Imperial Calcasieu Behavioral Health to campus, where they set up tables to speak to students.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, nearly 48,000 Americans die by suicide each year. September is recognized as World Suicide Prevention Month, dedicated to raising awareness and promoting strategies for suicide prevention.
“The event was organized to bring awareness to suicide and let students know that the counseling center is here for students with mental health issues in general,” said James Grimes, director of the Counseling Center.
At McNeese, students have access to different resources for mental health, such as the counseling center, the McNeese Police Department, and an app called Shmoody.
Shmoody was introduced to students in January.
“Shmoody is a mental health app created by people who are passionate about mental health and have struggled with mental health issues themselves,” Grimes said. “It was created to help with a variety of mental health issues. It consists of coping skills, life coaching, mood tracking, and community boards with over a million users.”
Apart from using Shmoody, Grimes said he encourages people to reach out to others if they notice them struggling and to take advantage of the resources they have available to them.
“Talking to them is a great first step because sometimes people just need a little bit of support, but if it sounds like they need more support, recommend counseling,” Grimes said. “If it is after hours, the police department is also there to help. You do not need to pay for these resources; they are already covered in your tuition.”
Student Chinenye Josephat, a senior at McNeese, also emphasized the importance of support when it comes to mental health.
“Suicide prevention is very important,” Josephat said. “The world can be a difficult place to live in at times, so we have to rely on each other and remember to be kind because you do not know what the next person is going through. Be the person you needed when you were going through some stuff.”
On Nov. 8, McNeese will participate in the Out of Darkness Walk at the Burton Coliseum. The Out of Darkness Walk is a national event series organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to raise money and provide awareness for suicide prevention.
McNeese Crisis Hotline: 337-614-HELP (4357)
McNeese Police Department: 337-475-5711
McNeese Counseling Center: 337-475-5136 to schedule an appointment.
