“Nearly 49,000 Americans die by suicide each year, equating to roughly one death every 11 minutes.” “Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college-aged young adults in the United States, with approximately 1,100 student deaths occurring each year.” These statistics were among many chalked on the sidewalk during the Kappa Kappa Gamma Mental Health Walk benefiting the JED foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing suicide in teens and young adults.
“I think it’s really important because there is such a high percentage of college aged students dealing with mental health problems...so this is really a population for suicidal thoughts...and I think it’s really important to raise awareness,” said Rachel Link, chair of philanthropy for Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Anthony Guppy, a junior and philanthropy chair, said it takes everyday work to prevent suicide. The subject of suicide prevention is a personal one to Guppy. During his freshman year, an alum who had returned to play in the wind ensemble tragically took his life. “That was pretty sudden, pretty earth-shattering,” Guppy said. “Because that was a person that sat right next to me.”
People from across campus showed up for the mental health walk, and Kappa Kappa Gamma President Alayna Earle Earle said, “getting us out, walking around talking and having a good time with our friends,” we find community to be the common thread between all those working this month.