According to the Center for Disease Control, Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college-aged people, specifically people of the ages of 15-24.

Suicide is unfortunately not talked about enough, although it’s not a topic that can be ignored any longer. I am proud to say that my school makes the issue of being oblivious to suicide absolutely impossible. Clubs and departments of Stockton University sponsored Suicide Prevention Week only two weeks ago. This week consisted of many encouraging and enlightening events that not only taught the students of Stockton about the alarming prevalence of suicide, but taught the students of Stockton that the stigma against mental health issues is not okay.

As a part of an assignment for my Abnormal Psychology class, I volunteered for two hours during Suicide Prevention week. I signed up to work the Depression Screening tabling that happened all week. After my in-class training, I walked into the shift not thinking I would really gain anything. I thought I knew all I could know about depression and mental health and suicide. Oh, was I wrong.

I was humbled by the generosity of the Stockton community to lend us their time in taking a survey, and standing up against the stigma. I encountered so many students who genuinely wanted to know why we were conducting these depression screenings, and it was so nice to have them kindly react when I told them that we were trying to inform the Stockton population about the high rates of suicide, and to reduce the stigma, all while raising awareness.

Taking the depression screening showed support to not only the people who are suffering currently, or have suffered, mental health issues, but showed support to the people who are fighting the stigma.

Unfortunately, suicide is a recurring and pressing issue today. It’s important to show support of those fighting mental health issues, and to know the resources available to you if you one day need them, or if you could help someone with that knowledge.

I now wear a button on my backpack that reads “Keep Fighting” and I want anyone to know that I will encourage you to get to people who can help you, if I can’t be that person. I am fighting against the mental health stigma, I support anyone struggling or anyone who needs a boost of reassurement. I urge you to find help if you need it.

There is no shame in mental health. I hope that you don’t think suicide is the only solution. Although it may not seem like it’s best, you are living and life has so much to offer to you. Your story isn’t finished. You don’t have to fight this alone, or in silence.