As Villanova students settle in and begin another semester of “the Blue and the White,” this month they are representing purple. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Villanovans all over campus are spreading awareness through their respective organizations. The Office of Health Promotion, the Mental Health and Well-Being Committee of Student Life and the Bandana Project are all partaking in on-campus events and spearheading activities to emphasize the importance of mental health awareness.
The Office of Health Promotion is sponsoring a check-in event led by the Student Life Mental Health and Well-Being Committee entitled “freshcheckday.”
“That is focused on screening, [students] can come and take some self-checks, get feedback, get connected to resources or talk through something,” Stacy Andes, Director of Health Promotion, said. “[This event will] sponsor a bunch of tables that will encourage students to focus upon a different aspect of mental health.”
The event will take place at the Riley Ellipse on Sept. 24 from 11a.m. to 2:00p.m. Groups tabling include the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Athletics, the Bandana Project and many more.
While student, faculty and staff mental health advocates will make an appearance at freshcheckday, suicide awareness is acknowledged all throughout campus. Members of the Bandana Project are easily recognized around Villanova, as they sport vibrant green bandanas on their backpacks. The organization was founded in 2014 by Dr. Betsy Gerbec of the University of Wisconsin River Falls, after her son, Daniel, took his own life. The symbol of the organization was chosen to signify mental health support and awareness in memory of Daniel’s trademark, a bandana. Today, the Bandana Project has spread to 50 schools in 22 states, of which Villanova is a proud representative.
This month, the Bandana Project will hold conversations about suicide prevention at general body meetings. It will also raise awareness through social media platforms.
“I think it’s really important that we have a Mental Health Month, even though we always talk about mental health,” Katie Formato, Co-Director of The Bandana Project, said. “Remember that the month of September is really important because it’s providing more awareness to suicide prevention, but also know that [mental health support and awareness] is always there in every month.”
The members of “If You’re Reading This” (IYRT) share a similar passion for suicide prevention advocacy. This nonprofit, online mental health resource was brought to Villanova’s campus in 2021. It is a platform in which students can read letters written by both anonymous and identified authors about their own mental health journeys. IYRT empowers students to utilize peer support as a mental health resource.
“Students and faculty can write a letter about an experience they had with mental health, they will get their headshot taken by our photographer and the letter will be posted on the national organization’s website, as well as our Instagram,” Sophia Crossan, IYRT President, said. “The unique thing about all the letters is that they all start with the tagline, ‘If you’re reading this…’ and are finished as the author sees fit.”
While September is the dedicated month for suicide prevention, it remains important throughout the year.
“All the support and resources, they don’t stop just because the month is over,” Jennifer Liberato, Associate Director for Student Support, said.
On Oct. 2, the Mental Health and Well-Being Committee of Student Life will host a candlelight vigil to remember and pay respects to those lost due to suicide. Additionally, QPR [Question, Persuade, Refer] training is a year-round suicide prevention resource offered on campus. Everyone can partake in this training to recognize potential signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors in individuals.
As Villanovans strive to increase mental health awareness this September, it is important to remember the countless free resources provided for students.
“Think of all the free support you have when you’re here,” Andes said. “Take full advantage of it now. Build your toolkit, so that when you leave, and you have to pay for those kinds of things, you’re starting ahead of the game.”
Such resources like the Counseling Center, weekly Pet Therapy, Massage Chair Mondays and Well-Being Coaching merely provide a summary of mental health services provided by Villanova.
“There is always help available, even when it seems like you are alone,” Crossan said. “You heard it here—everyone at IYRT is here to support you, no matter what. If you are ever in need of help, reach out.”
