Dear UConn Community,
As many of you know, September is Suicide Prevention Month.
Along with our colleagues throughout the UConn community, the Office of Sustainability is committed to raising awareness about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.
In 2020, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the second leading cause of death for people ages 25-34. It is a serious issue that affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Each of us has a role to play in preventing suicide and having the following information handy could save a life:
- If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
- You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.
Of course, many factors can contribute to suicide, including mental health conditions, substance abuse, and difficult life circumstances. That’s why, as part of our work to support mental health here at UConn (and beyond) we use trauma informed principles:
Here at the OS, we aren’t clinicians, and we don’t offer therapeutic services, but we do see it as our responsibility to be informed about, and supportive of, our mental health service teams and capabilities.
Here on campus, the best place to learn more about mental health services and get the care you need is through Student Health and Wellness: https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/
In addition to reaching out for help, there are also things that we can do as a community to prevent suicide. We can:
- Talk about mental health openly and without judgment.
- Challenge the stigma around suicide.
- Be supportive of our friends, family, and colleagues.
- Create a culture of caring and compassion.
Please join us as we work together to create a campus community where everyone feels safe and supported.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Joe Fullerton
Director of the Office of Sustainability
University of Connecticut