Maddi on Campus: Suicide Prevention Week hits home

Is it just me, or is suicide a steadily rising epidemic that everyone is seemingly aware of, and yet is never openly confronted?

I am happy to say that recent events have led me to think otherwise. Walking through the Muenster University Center on my way to class I came across a table that took me completely by surprise. Admittedly, I was a little confused at first when I went over to investigate; A poster board sitting on the table read “Lost and Found” and immediately my thoughts trailed to sad, little boxes filled with miscellaneous objects sitting in my old high school’s administration office.

Upon a little more in-depth reading of the poster board, I discovered that “Lost and Found” was a group dedicated to helping prevent suicide and reduce depression in college students and teens. For those of you who already knew this: give me a break, I’m just a freshman. Nonetheless, I’m extremely excited.

Unfortunately, for many people today, depression and suicide play a role in a lot of lives. It’s even played a role in my life, dear readers. So, why exactly am I excited? Because I’m finally seeing the taboo being kicked out of the subject. Maybe as the cultural perception of suicide and depression changes, people who need help will finally go and get it. Talking to people about your problems can be hard.

When I left the “Lost and Found” table that day, I had signed up to volunteer and receive emails concerning meeting times. I hope if you’re reading this now, you’ll consider signing up too. If not, just stop by the table and find out what it’s about.