Content warning: The following story deals with themes and personal narratives of depression, suicidal ideation, and death. Doane offers free counseling for students. Additionally, the National suicide hotline, 988, can be reached at any time. You are not alone.
On Sept. 10, Doane hosted its annual Suicide Prevention Walk, Colors for Hope, with Active Minds.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. According to the World Health Organization, 720,000 people die from suicide every year, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds.
The night was marked by 16 groups that participated, both from on and off campus; each group had a table that encouraged students with positive messages and different activities. Dinner was also served outside. Approximately 380 students attended
This year, guest speaker Alison Walla shared her story. Walla’s life was changed when her dad died by suicide when she was a college freshman.
During the speech, Walla shared that while her dad enjoyed simple things. “He was fun and ambitious,” Walla said.
During her junior year, she was still grieving. Walla shared that she continued to study and work towards her goals.
“I could hurt terribly and still keep going,” Walla said.
Walla was able to earn her degree and become a wife, mother and healthcare provider.
“You don’t have to be able to see your whole future to make it; you just have to make it through today… Your story isn’t over,” Walla said.
Walla wishes her dad was able to be there to walk her down the aisle and meet her daughter, but she shared that she wants students to remember that “there is a life behind the word suicide; there are inside jokes, Christmas morning, families.”
“Something I think went well in this event is people coming out, showing out, and supporting suicide prevention,” said president of Active Minds sophomore Emma Schuele. “Something inspiring about suicide prevention is that help is always available, and suicide prevention is every day, not just the month of September.”
