Hope and Strength theme of first Suicide Prevention Week

UALR’s Counseling Services will offer campus activities focused on prevention and survival during its first ever Suicide Prevention Week from Sept. 9 to 13. The primary goal of the activities, which coincide with National Suicide Prevention Week, are to honor survivors and loved ones affected by suicide, according to the UALR Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Foundation officials say they also want to help students and employees overcome barriers to talking about mental health and suicide, as well as raise awareness of the services and support provided at the UALR campus. One highlight of the week will be the Gallery of Hope artistic expression contest, an opportunity for the campus family to show its talent and express messages of strength and hope. Prizes will be awarded. The Gallery of Hope is not a technical contest, but an avenue for artistic expressions that best communicate the theme “Hope and Strength in Surviving and Preventing Suicide,” according to officials.

Other activities include:

Monday, Sept. 9 – Chancellor’s Proclamation and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at noon, in the Donaghey Student Center mall area (between Diamond Cafe and Mail Services) Tuesday, Sept. 10 – Giveaways and Creative Station from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the Donaghey Student Center Mall Area, and from 5 to 9 p.m. inside residential housing. Participants will design and decorate works for display Thursday. Wednesday, Sept. 11 – Gallery of Hope: Artistic Expression Contest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Donaghey Student Center Upper Concourse. Enjoy food, entertainment, and a display of student and employee entries. Hundreds of dollars in gift cards and other prizes will be dispersed to participants, with Best-in-Show and Best-in-Category awards to be presented Friday. Thursday, Sept. 12 – Memorial Walk & Display Wall, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Donaghey Student Center mall area and continuing around to the Cooper Fountain. Participants are encouraged to appreciate the creative display by the UALR community. Both the walk and display wall are meant to serve as encouragement to those struggling with thoughts of suicide and as a memorial to those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Friday, Sept. 13 – Counseling Services will present a Suicide Prevention Workshop at noon, in the Student Services Center Auditorium, then an Open House and Award Ceremony from 1:30 to 4 p.m., in Student Services Center, Room 119. For more information about the week’s events contact Amy Muse at [email protected].