This article includes the subject of suicide and mental health that may be triggering. 
 
1,482 people died of suicide in Michigan during 2021. 
 
That’s just what the suicide landscape looks like in Michigan alone. Suicide took the lives of 48,183 lives in the U.S. in 2021. The silence of suicide is rooted in the lack of discussion about mental health. 
 
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 96% of people would take action if they knew a loved one was thinking about suicide. 
 
But how does the stigma around suicide change so an impact is made before a life is lost?
 
The University of Olivet has taken on the task of changing the stigma around mental health and suicide. 
 
Robin Luckadoo Chadderon, director of the health and wellness center, shared how real the presence of suicide is on the university’s campus, “There are many students on this campus who have lost someone to suicide, there's several who have felt suicidal. So, it’s a very real presence.”
 
The Health and Wellness Center located in Mott 212 offers a variety of resources, including six counselors available to anyone in need. 
 
Bill Kennedy a licensed clinical social worker, and counselor in the Health and Wellness Center who also works with other grief groups in the area, shared how he sees the ages of those that attempt or die from suicide changing. 
 
“I guess I've seen it at all ages, just recently that we heard about a kiddo at one of our school groups who was just 11 years old that attempted. So, it's shocking and scary and, you know, to hear about younger and younger kids attempting,” said Kennedy. 
 
To bring awareness to this cause and partner with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Marching Comets, hosted the seventh annual Out of Darkness Walk on campus. This year was a record attendance year, with over 100 people attending that consisted of students, faculty, staff, and community members from around the Olivet, Marshall, Bellevue, Eaton Rapids, Charlotte, Potterville, Grand Ledge, and Lansing areas, according to event co-chair Sarah Cruz.
 
The event offered each participant the opportunity to wear a specific-colored beaded necklace that symbolizes their personal experience with suicide. This year’s event was hosted in the Cutler Student Center and began with      opening remarks from Jeremy Duby, director of bands, followed by      Professor Hagerty and      Robin Luckadoo Chadderon.
 
The     honor bead ceremony then took place. The ceremony was in remembrance of those lost to suicide. The Out of Darkness Walk then began around Olivet, starting with the playing of The University of     Olivet fight song. The walk started at the Cutler Student Center headed down Main Street and then looped back to campus. 
 
The event in total raised over $2,900 dollars for the cause.
 
Students from across campus attended, to tackle a problem that takes the lives of those we love. People ages 20-29 have the second highest suicide rate in Michigan.
 
“We just need to do more things to bring awareness to it, you know, just making people more comfortable to have those conversations about it. Just preventing it before it’s a problem, checking on people every day, even just person-to-person communication.       "We can reduce the stigma just caring for others,” said junior Amir Jones. 

To donate to the Out of Darkness Walk and AFSP click here. 

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If you or a loved one needs help, contact these resources.

 

Call or text 988 

Chat at: https://988lifeline.org 

National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433)

Lifeline Crisis Live-Chat: https://www.crisischat.org 
Emergency Services- Call 911

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