Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / News / Students organize walk for suicide prevention

Students organize walk for suicide prevention

April 14, 2016 by Trevor Wyatt

Ellipses Initiative, a new mental health awareness group on campus, is sponsoring a community walk to raise awareness for suicide prevention at ACU’s Beauchamp Amphitheater Saturday at 9 a.m.

Kalie Dame, freshman animal science/pre-vet major from Olney, said it was very important to her to get this walk on campus.

“My family started a community walk in Wichita Falls about 10 years ago,” Dame said.

Dame also said she had a number of family members commit suicide, and that she wanted to destroy the stigma behind mental illness.

“I hope that this walk brings awareness to Abilene, but especially the ACU community,” she said. “When I came here, I realized that a lot of people here did not have first-hand knowledge or experience about what happens to friends or family after a suicide.”

Madi Seawright, freshman psychology major from Colleyville who is also involved with the walk, said mental health is very close to her heart.

“[Mental health awareness] drives me as a person, and I think that more needs to be done to erase the stigma and support those who may be struggling, along with their families,” Seawright said.

Public awareness is important in this walk because many victims do not come forward beforehand because they are afraid of being judged, Seawright said.

“Once the public learns that it’s okay to be a little bit ‘crazy,’ and that this ‘crazy’ is its own kind of beautiful, I think people will be more willing to share their struggles,” Seawright said. “Something definitely needs to be done to change the stigma, and I think public awareness is one of the ways to do so.”

Most of all, Seawright wants to show people going through this kind of ordeal that they are not alone.

“I’m walking for myself and for many of my friends who struggle with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders,” Seawright said. “I am also walking for one of my childhood friends who took her own life during my sophomore year of high school. I want those who struggle with mental health issues to know that they’re not alone and that their story is important. Just because one may have an illness, that doesn’t mean they are any less human, or worthy of love, or less capable of giving love to others.”

To register for the walk, people can show up at 9 a.m. at the Beauchamp Amphitheater. To donate to the cause, visit http://www.afsp.org and click on the “donate” button.

Filed Under: News, Showcase

Other News:

  • Students connect through intramurals

  • Police Log Sept. 19-Sept. 26

  • Hispanos Unidos host Entra a La Plaza

About Trevor Wyatt

Trevor is a convergence journalism major at Abilene Christian University, with focuses in sports and music. His love of sports stems from 13 years of playing baseball. He has also played saxophone for 12 years, and is currently the manager of the Abilene Christian University Jazz Ensemble. Trevor is expected to graduate in the spring of 2018.

You are here: Home / News / Students organize walk for suicide prevention

Other News:

  • Students connect through intramurals

  • Police Log Sept. 19-Sept. 26

  • Hispanos Unidos host Entra a La Plaza

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

4 days ago

The Optimist
The student-run Hispanos Unidos club put together its annual Entra a La Plaza to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Attendees were able to experience authentic Hispanic traditions like traditional Hispanic food, dancing with live music and offered selections from local businesses like Mary’s Paleteria. For more media coverage for this event and others visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio.-------------------------------------------------------------#acu #acunews #HispanicHeritageMonth #hispanosunidos ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 week ago

The Optimist
As the Student Government Association celebrates its 100th year of existence, 56 officials have been elected, including four presidents for each class. Read more about the officers and representatives at acuoptimist.com or by clicking the link in our bio.-------------------------------------------------------------#acu #acunews #acusga #abilenechristianuniversity #acuofficers ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 22, 2023

Our top stories this week include the passing of Dr. Bob Hunter, a new endowment ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 8, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 1, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved