Students support peers through joining the awareness walk.
Photo: VWU | Courtesy
The Awareness Walk and Memory Chalk is an annual suicide prevention event led by the Office of Counseling and Student Health. It aims to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health through community engagement on campus. It took place on Sept. 12, with both students and staff in attendance.
“I’ve had my own experiences with family friends who have gone through suicide, and I wanted to support my campus friends and remember my family,” senior Elena Lichtenwalner said.
This event can encourage people who do or have suffered from mental health issues to feel the love, energy and support from their community.
An Awareness Walk and Memory Chalk banner was located outside the dining hall throughout the week for anyone who wanted to sign their name and leave a message. Signers used different colored markers, making an eye-catching banner for those who need encouragement.
Attendees gathered for the walk in the Harbor Grille, where participants could also sign the banner and listen to counselors who were there to assist students in learning about on-campus and off-campus resources.
“This walk is to show how important it is that no one is alone and that the walking can be a powerful move in a way,” junior J’dn Taylor said.
In the Harbor Grille, Virginia Beach Human Services and A Mission For Michael Mental Health Treatment Center set up tables. They had informational pamphlets for participants to take. Before the walk, Head of Counseling Michelle De Rosa spoke on the meaning and importance of Suicide Prevention Month and thanked the community for coming together.
Morgan’s Message, a new club, also spoke before the event. Morgan’s Message strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within student -athlete communities, according to their Instagram page.
All participants received a blue and purple suicide prevention pin to wear while walking, and could also grab rubber bracelets, buttons, key chains and cards with the suicide hotline on them.
The walk took place starting at the Grille, passing Allen Village and Eggleston, then ending in front of the library.
Students and staff walked throughout campus, stopping in front of the library to write encouraging messages on the sidewalk for anyone to see when passing by or walking to class. Some of the messages written were “love yourself,” “believe in life,” “have faith,” “keep going,” “I love you,” “you got this” and “don’t give up.”
“It is important for students to believe in themselves and for them to know that it is going to be okay, they will get through it,” freshman Kirsten Smith said.
Attendees included President Scott Miller, sports team members, student ambassadors and members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. They showed their support by walking, signing the banner and leaving chalk messages. At the end of the walk, The City of Virginia Beach Human Services handed out items such as backpacks, pencils, erasers, snacks, pens and phone stands to participants.
“The biggest thing is that you are not alone, and it takes comments and a movement to make a change,” Taylor said.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System Leading Causes of Death Reports in 2023, suicide was the eleventh leading cause of death in the United States, claiming over 49,300 lives. Suicide was the second leading cause of death in the United States for people aged 15 to 24 in 2023.
“Providing support, even if it’s just a smile, can help somebody,” Lichtenwalner said.
If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for help. Call the VWU Emergency Line (757) 233-8888 to be assisted and connected to an On-Call provider or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Editor’s Note: Interviewees Elena Lichtenwalner and J’dn Taylor are staff for the Marlin Chronicle.
By: Tylani Robinson
torobinson@vwu.edu
