The University of Colorado at Boulder will offer a series of free events on campus Sept. 7-9 aimed at suicide awareness and prevention.
The series, including presentations, an information table and a theatrical performance, coincides with the 36th annual National Suicide Prevention Week Sept. 5-11 and will bring mental health resources and tips to the forefront of the campus community.
"Suicide awareness events at the beginning of the school year are a good reminder that we need to look out for each other and take care of one another," said Amy Robertson, CU-Boulder's suicide prevention coordinator. "We want people in the campus community to be fearless about asking for help or helping other campus community members."
Robertson will give a presentation on the Question, Persuade, Refer, or QPR technique on Tuesday, Sept. 7, from noon to 1 p.m. in room 325 of the University Memorial Center. QPR teaches skills to use in suicidal crises, emphasizing early recognition of warning signs, intervention and professional assessment in saving lives.
CU-Boulder's Counseling and Psychological Services also will present "LGBT Youth and Suicide: Myths and Realities" on Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in UMC room 425.
A mental health resource table with free cookies will be located on the terrace outside the northeast doors to the UMC from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 9.
The Interactive Theater Project will present a performance titled "Too Afraid to Ask" on Thursday, Sept. 9, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Dennis Small Cultural Center in UMC room 457.
Following the campus events and National Suicide Prevention Week, CU-Boulder will co-sponsor a candlelight vigil called HOPE Lights the Night: Remembering and Honoring Those Lost to Us by Suicide. The event will take place Thursday, Sept. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the Boulder Band Shell, located at Broadway and Canyon Boulevard, and is hosted by the Hope Coalition of Boulder County.
For more information on suicide prevention and mental health visit CU-Boulder Counseling and Psychological Services at www.colorado.edu/sacs/counseling.
