The University kicked off National Suicide Prevention Week Monday, featuring five days of events aiming to spread awareness about mental health issues and suicide prevention.
The University’s National Suicide Prevention week coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10.
The event began Monday night with a screening of the movie “To Write Love on her Arms” at Grit Coffee, located on the Corner.
To Write Love on her Arms is a non-profit organization that works to help people struggling with self-injury, addiction, suicidal thoughts and mental illness.
Each year, the group chooses a campaign theme for National Suicide Prevention Week. This year’s campaign, “We’ll See You Tomorrow,” encourages survivors to look forward to the promise of a better day.
The national organization has a University chapter that holds weekly meetings.
It is often difficult to talk about suicide prevention and mental health awareness because it is stigmatized, said second-year College student Megan Dister, the group's publicity and social chair.
“Everyone can use information about mental health because it will probably affect someone you know, or yourself,” Dister said.
Other events include Counseling and Psychological Services' Suicide Prevention Training, a mental wellness fair and talks from Charlottesville counselors about how to help survivors.
Peer Health Educators will also conduct a “speed friending” activity: much like speed dating, but without the romantic element, said Peer Health Educator Olive Lee, a third-year College student.
“Academic life is very important, but social life and interaction is equally important, especially in that first few weeks of transition,” Lee said.
Another new event is a “venting session” in which community members can speak freely in a non-judgmental atmosphere.
“The idea is to create a place where people feel welcome to come and just talk about things that are on their mind in a setting where people are very accepting,” Dister said.
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