Lee University to host Suicide Prevention Week

Photo courtesy of the Office of Student Care.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Lee University is uniting with national efforts through a week of events on campus. During the week of Sept. 6-10, the Office of Student Care is hosting and partnering with multiple departments and student groups to create an active initiative for awareness. 

Director of Student Care Brittany Gates and Assistant Director Rosie Adams are determined to present Lee with opportunities for conversations while encouraging university support. 

Lee faculty have thoughtfully considered and planned the coordinated events with students who are involved in many areas across campus, according to Gates. Student-led groups such as the Black Student Union, Lee University Cru, Imago Dei and Say Something have partnered with the Office of Student Care and Residential Life and Housing.

Along with these groups, student workers Jada Ledgister, Maddie Eaglen and Alena Jones have invested their time into the week of events. Gates said these students engaged in the process of planning and envisioning engagement on campus.

On Tuesday, Sept. 7, students are invited to meet at the Ped Mall to visit a booth for information on the LiveSafe App. Volunteers will have bracelets, pledges and commitment cards available. Attendees will also have the opportunity to register for the Awareness Walk on Friday, Sept. 10. The first 100 students to register will receive a free shirt. The Awareness walk will take place in Alumni Park at 7 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Student Care

On Sept. 13, in the Johnson Lecture Hall, there will be a Question, Persuade, Refer training session at 4 p.m. This intentional training from Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network focuses on being active in support and suicide prevention. 

“We hope that this week raises important awareness on this topic, encourages us to all stop and think about how we can best support one another and gives us confidence that there is something we can do that might prevent suicide,” said Gates. “According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 47,511 Americans died by suicide in 2019, making it the tenth leading cause of death. It was the second leading cause of death for ages 10-34. The statistics speak loudly that this is a conversation we need to have on our campus and a way we can further support one another and take ownership of our community.” 

According to Gates, the vision is for Lee students, faculty and staff to be present and actively listening to those around them. This week intends to give support and space for dialogue about topics that affect many students.

These events are also meant to honor and remember those who have died by suicide. 

“I think the American culture at large is fighting to be heard rather than fighting to listen. We want to reclaim a posture of listening this week in effort to let those in our community know that their life matters,” said Adams.

The Office of Student Care wants the message “I have time to listen. Your life matters,” to echo across the Lee University campus.