On Sept.10 every year, World Suicide Prevention Day is a way to change the narrative surrounding suicide. The goal is to have open discussions about suicide, so that more people will help themselves as well as each other by seeking support.
Lights for Life took place at Village Park and was an event organized to honor and provide support to students who struggle with suicidal thoughts. Cassandra Moffat is the director of counseling services and one of the Lights for Life event organizers. When it came to planning the event, Moffat said she wanted to make sure it was on World Suicide Prevention Day because last year that just wasn’t possible.
She also wanted to make the resources available known to students. “We are in a particularly difficult spot Downtown. It can be a little bit harder to get resources, so the main part of planning the event was seeing how we could get resources to students,” Moffat said.
Moffat believes its important to bring awareness around suicide because by not talking about the problem, it is not truly being addressed. “We’re kind of just covering it up, and I think that it’s important to acknowledge that suicide exists,” Moffat said. “People have suicidal thoughts and the more we talk about it the hope is that more people will help and other will seek support for themselves.”
Sienna Wraith, a first-year history student, attended Lights for Life because she said it sounded nice that they were honoring the lives of those who passed from suicide. Wraith herself sometimes struggles with mental health.
“The lanterns were my favorite part of the event. Additionally, having the chance to view them in the dark is going to look good,” Wraith said.
Kira Arndt, a sophomore early education and special education major, attended Lights for Life again after attending last year’s event. She enjoyed decorating the lanterns.
She visited many tables at the event like the Title IX table where she had the opportunity to color.
“The most important thing I learned was PAAR [about Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PARR)]) and how close they’re so close to us,” Arndt said. “They have different resources even if you aren’t the ones who need them.”
PAAR is a non-profit organization that has worked to give important services to victims of sexual violence at no cost. They have been providing their services for over 50 years in Allegheny County.
Located at another table, Tristan Rose, a first-year general psychology student, assisted with the lanterns. Rose was there with the Psychology Confluence club, but he had his own reasons for coming.
“I was involved in a serious incident, where at one point I was considering doing the same thing,” Rose said. “So being in a spot where I feel like I can be appreciated and surrounded by a community of supportive individuals who admire the same aspects I do when it comes to mental health.”
If given the opportunity, Rose wants to become a part of the system of support on campus to hopefully make a change. Ultimately, the event is about suicide prevention, which he feels happens a lot with college students.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts call 988 to talk with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or you can chat online at https://988lifeline.org/
For additional information, please reach out to Point Park’s Counseling Center at [email protected]
