SAFE Walks To Bring Attention To Suicide
William Penn University Safe
Oskaloosa, Iowa – It’s a difficult subject to talk about, but suicide and its prevention was the reason a walk was organized on the campus of William Penn University this past week.
World Suicide Prevention Day was the reason for the walk, and SAFE (Students Advocating for Equality), which is a new organization at William Penn University this year, held the walk on Wednesday, September 10th.
Nate Chamberlain is the adviser for SAFE on the campus of William Penn University. Chamberlain said that there were many different ways of drawing attention to the problem of suicide going on around the nation, “We hope the message is getting out that people do care about everybody and that suicide prevention is an important thing.”
The walk started at 10 am from the MTC (Musco Technology Center) parking lot and they used the Mahaska Recreation Trail. The walkers went to N 3rd and Peasley before returning to the WPU Campus.
There have been events in Chamberlain’s life that have impacted him, but he says he sees the problem and its wide impact on students and community members.
Chamberlain, says, “The psychological pain that leads each of these individuals to take their lives is unimaginable. We walk on September 10th to remember those we’ve lost to suicide in the past and support those who are struggling right now with this very real and difficult issue.”
Chamberlain added that, “Individuals who are despairing and thinking about suicide need to know that there is help available. All you need to do is to ask for help. This walk will mean a lot to the survivors of suicide, their families and all others impacted.”
SAFE is a new organization at William Penn University that aims to connect students with opportunities and resources to build and advocate for a healthy, comfortable and supportive community for LGBT persons and allies at William Penn University and surrounding communities. World Suicide Prevention Day is co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), a global association of academics, mental health professionals, crisis workers, volunteers and suicide survivors from over 50 countries, who are devoted to preventing suicidal behavior and alleviating its effects.
