Last week, the University chapter of To Write Love on Her Arms hosted a series of events as part of National Suicide Prevention Week.
On Monday, Sen. Creigh Deeds —who has pushed for mental health law reform in the Virginia General Assembly since the death of his son, Gus Deeds — spoke to students about his experiences. The senator's son, who suffered from bipolar disorder, had been turned away from a hospital last November after the facility said there were no available beds. Later, at the family's home, Gus stabbed the senator before taking his own life. Ever since, Deeds has been lobbying for more mental health resources and working to reduce the stigma around mental illness.
“If you have a heart attack, have cancer, and you go to the doctor they aren’t going to say there’s no room at the inn,” Deeds said. “We, as a society, have decided that’s not okay. Well, mental illness is just illness of the brain.”
This sentiment was echoed by Counseling and Psychological Services staff member Lenny Carter at his presentation Wednesday night. Carter also talked about the damage done by a perceived mental health stigma, pointing out that while only 10 percent of participants in the University “Healthy Minds” survey said they would think less of someone who got help, 46 percent thought that others would think less of them if they got help. This, combined with a “culture of perfectionism” and a student population that, on the whole, is more comfortable offering than asking for help, can lead to a dangerous behavior known as masking, Carter said.
“I see a lot of students in my office,” Carter said. “They’re smiling and telling me some really horrific stuff.”
CAPS Director Tim Davis noted University students are used to supporting others and do not want to share their own burdens.
This is where TWHOLA comes in. The national organization works to raise awareness about mental health issue and prevent issues such as self-harm, eating disorders, depression and suicide. TWHOLA takes its name from a therapeutic technique that also serves as a sign of solidarity. Writing the word “love” on one’s arm or arms is an open display of support and serves as a reminder not to commit self-harm.
The University’s TWHOLA branch, which is entirely student run, set up the week’s events, bringing in speakers and tabling on the Lawn.
The week was capped off with a panel on faith and mental illness, featuring representatives from Chi Alpha, Cru Christian Fellowship and the Catholic Student Ministry.
Cru Campus Director Andrew Brown, who admitted he struggled with depression in the past, said the stigma surrounding mental illness can be worse in faith communities, as if a person with mental illness has failed if their faith is not enough to “cure” them. He said a greater willingness on the part of pastors and other faith leaders to speak openly on the topic of mental illness could lead to an increase of support.
Sarah Fletcher, campus missionary for Chi Alpha who spoke at the panel, and fourth-year College student Zaahir Imam, president of the Muslim Students Association, both noted how their respective scriptures never mention mental illness directly. But they both pointed to passages about supporting those who are struggling as evidence that religious people can and should offer aid to those with mental illnesses.
Aside from religious communities, Davis said, the community of one’s fellow students can make a true difference — noting students' input in group therapy sessions is often more widely received than his own input.
“However many suicides we’re able to prevent at CAPS, actually it's the students who end up preventing more suicides by caring for each other, by loving each other and by being there for each other,” Carter said.
