1,100 Backpacks

Hofstra University held an event on Thursday, May 3rd on campus raising awareness of suicide. Active Minds was in charge of the event. It was a very heartbreaking and moving event because suicide is a sensitive subject to most people. According to 1,100 backpacks, 1,100 students die by suicide each year. The backpacks on the ground symbolized the students that have committed suicide due to a number of reasons. Some of the backpacks had stories attached to them of students who have killed themselves. There were counselors available that were asking questions to anybody that was walking through. They handed out pamphlets and phone numbers for anyone that may need help.They provided a phone number for suicide prevention and they can reached at 1800-273-TALK. There is also a website that anyone can visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org and if anyone wanted to share a story of a family or friend who has committed suicide can visit www.activeminds.org/shareyourstory When of my friends from high school attended Cornell in New York for four years and she told me about the suicides that occurred there. Students at the school were jumping off the bridge close to the school because they couldn't handle the overwhelming work and stress of Ivy League education. Another story that was big was the story of Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers student who jump off the George Washington Bridge because he was struggling with being gay. Suicide is a serious issue and it should be addressed more often. I am so happy that Active Minds decided to come to Hofstra. Especially around this time with finals coming up many students are feeling pressure and they are stressed out.