Did you know that in the United States, one person completes suicide every 15 minutes? Did you know that it is estimated that more than 5 million people in the United States have been directly affected by a suicide? Or that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among 15-to 24-year-olds? Experts believe that most suicidal individuals do not want to die. They just want the pain they are experiencing to end. Experts also know that suicidal crises tend to be brief. When suicidal behaviors are detected early, lives can be saved.
Help support suicide prevention on our campus by attending the Field of Memories − Be Aware, Show You Care exhibit on September 7 in Memory Mall from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Be Aware Show You Care Flag Exhibit is a powerful and poignant visual display representing the 1000+ suicides that occur on U. S. college campuses each year. Come and personalize a flag to show your support and awareness or honor a memory of someone lost.
In addition, on September 14, the Counseling Center will be offering suicide prevention training during their 5th annual QPR a Thon – Suicide Prevention Training. QPR [Question, Persuade, Refer], guided by certified trainers, is a program designed for everyone to learn what can be done to prevent suicide. The training session is a one hour presentation where you will learn the signs of suicide and three basic principles of how to help save a life. QPR is designed for students, faculty and staff at UCF. The event will be held in the Student Union, Key West Ballroom AB. The trainings begin at 9 a.m. with a new one starting on the top of each hour. The last training offered will at 4 p.m.
Together everyone can reduce the number of lives shaken by a needless and tragic death. For more information, contact Teresa Michaelson-Chmelir at the Counseling Center at: teresa.michaelson@ucf.edu or call 407.823.2811.
The Counseling Center is an office in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.