On Sept. 18, Ramapo’s Counseling Services hosted their annual Words of Hope event by the Arch. This event ran from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and allowed students to participate in raising awareness for suicide prevention.
The event was one of the few events aimed to promote mental health and wellness along with combining peer support and creating a community here on campus. The Counseling Services hope to break the stigma surrounding mental health and bring it to the public eye.
Megan Johnston, head of the event and of the Center of Health and Counseling Services, said in an interview with The Ramapo News, “Words of Hope is an event centered on connection between students and the way small actions of kindness can be incredibly powerful.” She says by doing these events we can help create a single connection that might help someone.
Words of Hope started off their event for Suicide Prevention Month with chalking in the Grove. Students were asked to chalk positive messages on the sidewalk and connect with peers. Featured on the sidewalk were messages and drawings like “you are not alone,” smiley faces, a hopscotch game, “you got this” along with many more up lifting messages. Aside from the chalking, counseling services held a table where there were pamphlets of resources on mental health as well as their “Togetherall” program offered here on campus.
Johnston said, “September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and 1,100 college students die by suicide each year. People who are experiencing suicidal thoughts often feel a sense of hopelessness and lack of connection to their community.” She said that the chalking in the Grove was just one of the many acts that we can do as a community to make people not feel like they are alone and that there are positive interactions between peers here on campus. Even if students did not go to the event, they would walk through the Grove and see the messages written on the ground later that day or week.
Counseling Services also partnered with Creature Comfort Pet Therapy, which brought four rescue animals here to campus. Scattered around the Grove was a bunny named Snickers, a golden retriever named Penny, a white hound mix dog and another smaller dog for students to meet. Some of the animals featured are returning animals from other visits here on campus, as well as newer ones that are just getting started.
Ramapo senior Sam Pettigrew said in an interview with The Ramapo News that, “I come to these events when possible. It is great to just come and see them and just feel relaxed.” He says there is no way to be stressed out about life or school when you are petting dogs and holding animals.
This event is one of seven offered throughout the semester that promotes a sense of community through prioritizing mental health and self-care. Similar to previous experiences, students spent two hours engaging with the animals and helping people feel at ease.
First-year student Casey Tarulli says, “It’s been a nice and genuine community. This event is great and I love seeing the dogs.”
Words of Hope hopes to continue to bring joy and destressing to our community. Suicide is something that is overlooked and not seen by communities, and Ramapo hopes to change that message and make sure those who have suicidal thoughts have a place and resources for them on campus. If you are someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call counseling services at 201-684-7522.
rbleich@ramapo.edu
Featured photo by Rebecca Bleich, Ramapo News
