Listen Here
By: Taylor Christensen
Email: christensent@findlay.edu
September is Suicide Prevention Month and the University of Findlay will hold two events related to mental health awareness.
Kendra Bermosk, a counselor at the University of Findlay, is a part of arranging the events for suicide prevention month on campus
On Sept. 9, the University hosts a Question Persuade Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training.
On Sept. 10, the “Light up the Dark” event, urges students to put a candle out on their windowsill to raise awareness of suicide.
“I think it’s so important to raise awareness to mental health issues and the subject of suicide prevention,” said Bermosk. “The more that we’re aware and the more that we’re informed, the more we’re able to help people get help, and the more we are able to help save lives.”
According to Bermosk, The QPR training is there to help people recognize the symptoms, how to ask the questions and how to refer and persuade people to get help if they are going through hard times.
“I really like the training because it’s really good at allowing you to feel like you have something you can do,” said Bermosk.
The QPR training is something that makes it possible for friends and family of people suffering mental health issues to feel comfortable helping that person. It is a way to reassure people that they can make a difference in a person’s life if they are struggling.
The Light Up the Dark event is simply to bring awareness to the subject of suicide. It is an event happening all around the world.
“I think it’s really cool that people all around the world, at that particular time on that day, are setting out lights for awareness and to let people know that they care,” said Bermosk.
The events are supposed to be a way for college students to feel like they do have the ability and power to help someone who needs it.
“It will help people feel they have the knowledge, skills, and resources to be able to feel like they can do something to help,” Bermosk said.
A huge aspect of the events going on is to dissolve the stigmatism surrounding suicide and mental illness. However, Bermosk wants students to know, that they don’t have to go it alone.
“There is no shame in asking for help or getting help, everybody needs somebody sometimes, we are here to help people get that help they need,” Bermosk said.
If you would like to participate in either of these events, the QPR training is on Sept. 9 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in Winebrenner Room 254. Light Up the Dark will take place on Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. The candles can be picked up from counseling services at 307 Frazer St., during business hours. And if you need immediate help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
