ICYMI: The Semicolon Project raises suicide and mental health awareness

Posted on February 29, 2016

Originally Posted on The Daily Cougar via UWIRE

Students wrote words of encouragement on sticky notes. | Greg Fails/The Cougar

A board was made available for students and attendees to pin letters to the deceased. | Greg Fails/The Cougar

A letter written to Uncle Jim was one of the items pinned in the board by students. | Greg Fails/The Cougar

While news crews broadcasted debate coverage from the lawn in front of Cullen Performance Hall last week, a more somber gathering took place only a few hundred yards away.

Students and faculty from various housing and student health organizations gathered at Butler Plaza to raise awareness for suicide and mental health issues. The event was in conjunction with with Project Semicolon, an international project aimed at reducing suicide and erasing stigmas against mental health issues.

The Cougar attended to hear testimonials and talk to attendees about how suicide has affected them.

Students and other attendees pinned letters to the deceased on a board. | Greg Fails/The Cougar
“But the thing is, while there are days that I think about it, I see my life back then, and I see my life now, and now everything is so much brighter,” biology sophomore Katherine Lephuoc said. “I realize what kind of support system I have, the amazing people I have in my life and I know that all of my friends love me and want me here. My family loves me for who I am. No matter how much I hate myself, or how ugly I think I am from here on out, I know that I’m meant to be here, and we’re all put here for a reason. To think that I wanted to kill myself back then -- I struggle with that because the life that I live now is amazing. It’s not always full of good things, but it’s full of really amazing moments that if I had killed myself, I would have never experienced. So, if you’re ever feeling like you’re not good enough, or you’re not worthy to be here or you’re not perfect, I want you to know that you’re not alone. You’re never going to be alone, because there’s at least one person out there that needs you in their life. All you have to do is reach out.” | Greg Fails/The Cougar
“I feel like we’ve become divided as a society, and we don’t talk. When we don’t talk, you have to bottle it up, and when you do that, often times suicide is the only escape for people,” psychology senior Teo Estepani said. “I’ve applied to graduate school for counseling because I feel like the division is the biggest issue.” | Greg Fails/The Cougar
“I have both anxiety and depression. I’ve been dealing with it as long as I can remember. It’s really hard, especially when even my mom tells me 'I don’t understand you,'” anthropology senior Desiree Woolard said. “But I finally reached out for help and started going to a counselor. I’m at the highest point since I can remember. I get out of bed and do everything that I need to do, and it’s great.” | Greg Fails/The Cougar
Students wrote words of encouragement on sticky notes. | Greg Fails/The Cougar
“I had an experience last semester in front of (Agnes Arnold Hall),” said liberal studies senior Andrew Wells. “I had a panic attack and had to go to the hospital. Afterward, I went into an outpatient program and got the help that I needed. I’ve been going to doctors and therapists for years now and feel like I’m finally getting a hold on it. Anxiety is one of those things that runs through both sides of my family, and it’s something you always have to deal with.” | Greg Fails/The Cougar

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“ICYMI: The Semicolon Project raises suicide and mental health awareness” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

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