Image Courtesy of Student’s Ending Mental Illness Stigma’s official Instagram page
NORMAL, Ill. – September is Suicide Awareness month, giving campus communities all over the country an opportunity to bring to light the importance of mental health awareness and resources.
Illinois State University’s campus is no different.
Students Ending Mental Illness Stigmas (SEMIS) is registered student organization here on campus is advocating for support and dialogue about the importance of mental health awareness. Through efforts in spreading awareness and showing students the resources located on campus such as Student Counseling Services, SEMIS aims to shine a light on the need for involvement and the need to provide students struggling with mental health the resources that they need.
President of Students Ending Mental Illness Stigmas, Trinity Tokarz discussed the RSO and the importance of suicide awareness month.
“One thing we do is we emphasize what resources are out there, that way people can know where they can go to receive the help if they need it, or if they know someone who does” said Tokarz.
Even though help is out there, it can be hard to reach out for it. Ending the stigma around mental health issues can help people feel more comfortable reaching out when necessary. Throughout the month, SEMIS held a meeting where they discussed Suicide Awareness month, and how the campus community can help each other, and provide a space where everyone can feel comfortable getting the aid that they may need.