Stories over Silence (S.O.S.) Day set for Tuesday at Edinboro’s main campus
EDINBORO, Pa. – An estimated one in four adults between the ages of 18 and 24 have a diagnosable mental health disorder. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health indicates that rates of depression and anxiety among U.S. college students have more than doubled in the last decade.
As mental health issues become more prevalent than ever on college campuses, Edinboro University remains committed to supporting student wellness and educating the campus community about available resources.
Toward this goal, Edinboro will host Stories Over Silence (S.O.S.) Day on Tuesday. Held in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day, the campus-wide event will focus on holistic health, emphasizing mental-health awareness, education and self-care.
Wellness activities – ranging from guest speakers to rock climbing and therapy dogs – will be held from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Edinboro University’s main campus. Students who participate in the activities will be entered to win gift cards, gift baskets and other prizes.
“Studies have shown that college students who participate in activities that openly address topics like depression and anxiety are more likely to seek help and far less likely to stigmatize their peers who suffer from mental health disorders,” said Darla Elder, director of Ghering Health and Wellness Center at Edinboro University. “Our ultimate goal is to encourage members of the campus community to have open, honest conversations about mental health and to speak up when they need help.”
Information tables, giveaways and health and wellness activities for students, faculty and staff will occur throughout the day, culminating with a Stories Over Silence (S.O.S.) Walk at 7:30 p.m. in Sox Harrison Stadium.
The walk represents a beacon of light, providing signs of hope to the campus community and raising awareness of the resources available. Participants will carry glow sticks around the track before placing them on a display of more than 600 backpacks in the center of the football field. Each of the bags represent college students lost to suicide in the U.S. each year.
Edinboro University provides mental health services for all students through the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) program. CAPS is committed to helping students address and resolve concerns by providing a range of mental health services.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) counselors will be available all day for students. For more information, contact Ghering Health and Wellness Center at [email protected].
