University Housing and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) hosted “A Million Reasons to Stay” on Tuesday. The event recognizes that September was Suicide Prevention Month.
Over the past month, students were offered bulletin boards in the residence halls to write down their reasons for staying.
“It’s an interactive board where students who live in the halls get to post their reasons to stay,” residence counselor Margie Pemu said.
Students enjoyed food, bracelet-making and games at the event while participating in substance abuse prevention activities sponsored by the Substance, Education, Assessment, and Recovery (SEAR) program. Attendees were also given fidget toys and other stress-relief items.
A Million Reasons to Stay addresses the critical issues of mental health and suicide prevention, which are extremely relevant in college life
The event also serves as a platform to raise awareness, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage students to seek help when needed. It fosters a culture of care and promotes the idea that there are countless reasons to live.
“We are a group of clinicians that work with housing students,” Suellen Ayala Rojas, a mental health clinician with CAPS, said. “We do individual therapy, group counseling and outreach events like today.”
Events like “A Million Reasons to Stay” highlight crucial topics within campus communities.
“This event promotes an encouraging and supportive community,” Rojas said.
“It is important to talk about topics like this and support mental health.”
Check out the highlight reel of the event here.
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