Delicious breakfast and faculty support welcomed students at a pancake breakfast near the Gardner Student Center as the Booth Wellness Center hosted the Week of Hope.
The center hosted the Week of Hope events for Suicide Prevention Month to give support to students who experience stress, suicidal thoughts and loneliness.
The events started Sept. 8 and lasted until Sept. 12. During this time, the BWC hosted various events, like chalk drawing, movie night, pancake breakfast and QPR training.
Jamy Dahle, director of counseling services and wellness promotion, said, “When we look at statistics, 75% of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 24 and suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals [ages] 15 to 24.”
The faculty from the BWC organized events to show students they are valuable and can be heard.
“I think as people, in general, we avoid talking about what is uncomfortable and not knowing how to respond to grief,” Sandra Taylor, a counselor from Booth Wellness Center, said. “People just do not have somebody to talk to.”
During the Week of Hope events, students were able to ask questions and talk to the faculty of the center, make new friends, use the available services and enjoy the atmosphere of the places where the events were held.
One of the events was the pancake breakfast. The event was Sept. 10 and ran from 9 a.m. to noon. The faculty served pancakes and drinks.
One notable element during the event was a tree of hope, the tree located in front of the Gardner. On the tree, students placed pieces of paper with positive messages.
Axuray Robinson, a senior elementary education major from Spanish Fork, said the Week of Hope helps students speak out and share their thoughts with experts who work at BWC.
“I think these events help to spread awareness, because suicide is a hard thing to talk about,” Robinson said. “It is [an] uncomfortable topic, but if we do not talk about it, we are not going to be able to prevent it.”
Xitlaly Vazquez, a freshman pre-medical radiography major from St. George, said the pancake breakfast event helped students take a break from stress.
“College can be really stressful, especially financially, so it is just good to have people be there for you and have a hotline to reach out if you ever need help,” Vazquez said.
The BWC offers consistent support for students by providing free counseling services, daily walk-in appointments and various support groups.
“We are open Monday through Friday, eight to five, so a student can schedule an appointment with us,” Dahle said. “And then, for any after hours, we have the 988 hotline, which is a great resource that you can call and get connected to a mental health resource.”
Aside from the Week of Hope, the BWC hosts other events, which students are welcome to visit.
Dahle said, “After Suicide Prevention Week, we offer a Wellness Fair, which is on October 1st, and that [is] where we invite campus and community vendors that are wellness-oriented. I do feel like the university does prioritize mental health. We have great support from UTSA to help through our funding, through student fees, we offer QPR, which is Question, Persuade, Refer.”
Week of Hope aims to let the students know that it is normal to ask for help and no one has to face mental health struggles alone.
“The Booth Wellness Center team is here for students,” Dahle said. “That is our sole purpose, and even though it may feel intimidating to seek help, is that we are available for you, and that it why we are here.”
