MCC Sends Silence Packing During Suicide Prevention Week!

Every day, 1500 individuals attempt suicide, with 85 being successful. Manchester Community College hosts a Suicide Prevention Coalition, who put on events during National Suicide Prevention Week here on campus.

One of those events happened on Tuesday Sept. 10th, the event called “Send Silence Packing”or SSP was funded through a 3 year suicide prevention grant offered through the Garrett Lee Smith Foundation.

“The grant is operated through the Advising and Counseling Center at MCC and managed through East of the River Action for Substance Abuse Elimination (E.R.A.S.E.) of East Hartford”, said Michaela Fissel, grant liaison for MCC.

The SSP event was organized in an effort to raise awareness about suicide. The Suicide Prevention Coalition, with the help of the Student Government Association and PRIDE Club, laid out 371 backpacks on the AST lawn to represent each of the individuals from Connecticut who committed suicide in 2011. Signs promoting statistics from two studies that took place on campus last year, coupled with national statistics were  placed along the sidewalks.

“12% of students seriously considered suicide last year; while 2/3 of students weren’t aware that counseling services are available on the college campus.”, said Fissel. The MCC Advising and Counseling Center is located in room 108 of the SSC building. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or considering suicide, counseling is available.

“[Its great] that 9 out of 10 students believe that seeking help for suicidal thoughts is not a sign of weakness”, explained Fissel.

A table was set up near the event on Tuesday, distributing material informing students of services on campus. “Some students also thanked us because they themselves are a suicide survivor or they lost someone close to them to suicide”, said Fissel.

A second event on Thursday, asked passerby’s to write on a large white board, how they deal with stress. Fissel along with Haley Shoop and ERASE rep Ashley Murphy manned the table offering free materials and popcorn for participants. They will also have a table at the SGA sponsored Fall Welcome Festival on September 17.

For more information, or to join the Suicide Prevention Student Sub-committe contact Michaela Fissel at mfissel@mcc.commnet.edu. Their first meeting is Thursday September 19th, from 3:00pm – 4:30pm in the SSC building room 108.