Mental health is a real problem in today’s society. One in five adults experience it, and one in 20 experience serious mental illness. Suicide is a leading cause of death.
In response to this, the Booth Wellness Center hosted a Connection and Belonging Week Sept. 16-17. Students were invited to attend events on those two days to foster connections and create a sense of belonging on campus.
“We do surveys every year and we found that a lot of our students are struggling with poor mental health, feelings of anxiety, feelings of depression, lack of connection and loneliness,” Jamy Dahle, director of counseling and health promotion services, said.
The activities provide students with opportunities to meet other students. There was a Question, Persuade, Refer suicide and prevention training, a Pancakes with a Pal event and an “Inside Out” movie night. There were also smaller events during the day such as messages of hope wall, chalk art and handing out semi-colon temporary tattoos.
“I think events like this can be an opportunity to invite people. It’s easier than a serious, talking event,” Shoko Domoto, freshman music major from Osaka, Japan, said.
Many people experience suicidal thoughts, and is oftentimes in conjunction with feeling lonely.
Kiesha Naisbitt, Seasons Health and Rehab employee, said: “I think when you have somebody to rely on then it makes it easier to want to make them proud. You want to be there for them. You want to live for them.”
The Booth Wellness Center has several resources available for students struggling with mental health.
Dahle said: “I want our student population to know that there’s nothing too small or too big to reach out for help. I think sometimes we get in our head saying, ‘It’s not that big of a deal,’ or the opposite where you don’t dare tell anybody because they won’t know what to do. Wherever you are on the spectrum, there is help for you.”
Free counseling is offered through the center. There are scheduled appointments one can make and there is an option for emergency walk-ins. To make an appointment, students can call 435-652-7755. They also can help students connect with institutions off campus through their insurance or reduced cost clinics. Safe UT is also a resource where students can talk to an online professionals or find help for a friend or roommate.
If a student is seriously contemplating suicide, there is a hospital nearby that they can check themselves into for up to 23 hours. They can leave once they feel stabilized and are given a care plan. There is another free option in Hurricane, which offers similar services including overnight stays.
“We want students to know we exist and are here for them,” Dahle said. “We want to talk about it and be open about it so those individuals struggling know there’s help for them and that they can access that help.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and suicidal thoughts, call the mental health crisis line at 988.
