September 1st kicked off National Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, offering support, and empowering others. Mental health awareness has become more crucial than ever, especially for college students. According to NEA, “More than 60 percent meet the criteria for at least one mental health problem”—a number that continues to climb. Alarming still, “15 percent said they were considering suicide—the highest rate in the 15-year history of the survey.” This growing crisis begs the question: How can we address and overcome this pressing issue?
The answer for freshman Hannah Morgan and Graduate Ashley Finch is their faith coupled with a community that prioritizes mental health. When asked how faith helps her cope with the feelings of loneliness and isolation, Morgan responded, “My faith helps me cope with feelings of isolation and loneliness by being a constant I can turn to. Whenever I feel alone, I can talk to the Lord. Through Him, I have been blessed with amazing Christ-filled friendships that I can lean on.”
SNU’s Christ-centered campus provides students with countless opportunities to deepen their relationships with God, as well as with classmates, teammates, professors, and faculty members. Fitch also expresses, “Having faith can serve as a source of strength because it helps a person look at their hard situation from a hopeful perspective. This doesn’t take away the struggles completely, but it takes the focus off of the problem and puts more focus on the problem solver, the Lord.” Fitch believes that God gives her hope and a sense of purpose in life.
As an incoming student, change is something everyone experiences. From new living arrangements and unfamiliar faces to a new town and increased freedom, feeling lonely can quickly become a reality. When Fitch was asked how her faith provides emotional support when dealing with the pressures of social life, academics, and in her case, athletic performance, she shared, “Putting our faith in God reminds us that we are never alone even when we feel lonely. Remembering that His love and hope are unconditional and never-ending will help strengthen our faith in Him.” Having a relationship with God can allow students to have peace in life amidst the chaos.
Morgan was then asked how SNU plays a role in providing a safe space for students to talk about their mental health. She said, “SNU is a welcoming place that makes me feel comfortable talking about my mental health. The more it is normalized to talk about in the classroom and chapel setting, the more students will feel open to share about their mental health.” Allowing students to have that outlet to express their feelings and thoughts could potentially heal their situation, whether that be their feelings of hopelessness or loneliness.
SNU strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment to students, teachers, and faculty. For those who feel they need extra support, SNU also has its very own counseling center on campus, called RENEW, extremely affordable for all its undergraduate students. RENEW has several, well-equipped therapists who are more than willing to help students who may be struggling with their mental health or even suicidal ideations. RENEW’s first five sessions are free, the next five are $5, and then the cost for every session after that maxes at $10. There is also a therapist on call every weekday in case of an emergency or a student in crisis. If you find yourself or someone else in a crisis and can’t reach the on-call therapist or SNU security, please call 911 or the suicide hotline at 988.
Suicide Prevention Month helps us advocate for those who don’t feel seen or heard, by integrating spiritual care with practical mental health support, such as spreading awareness through scripture, inviting meaningful guest speakers, or encouraging student involvement. SNU can be a powerful advocate for suicide prevention while fostering a community of compassion and grace. Please know that we are here for you.
If you are thinking about harming yourself or attempting suicide, tell someone who can help right away.
- Call 911 for emergency services.
- Go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
- Call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Support is also available via live chat. Para ayuda en español, llame al 988.
Photo by: Isabella Labrada
Source:
Flannery, M. E. (n.d.). The mental health crisis on college campuses | NEA. https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/mental-health-crisis-college-campuses