Meet the friends of
2nd Annual Suicide Awareness Event
ROB
BELLA
KEVIN
KATIE
Rob is a happy guy.
Bella has a heart of gold.
Kevin is stressed all the time.
Katie gets sad easily.
He’s got a positive attitude and inspires his friends. Rob’s optimistic outlook is reflected in his work and his relationships.
S he is a caring and compassionate person. Bella always takes time to listen to and help others in her life.
He has trouble balancing time between classes, work, family and friends. Kevin doesn’t like to share his negative feelings with anyone.
Sometimes she feels alone and blue. Katie has trouble recognizing her strengths and worries that things won’t work out for her.
Have you ever felt like Rob?
Have you ever felt like Bella?
Have you ever felt like Kevin?
Have you ever felt like Katie?
TORCH PHOTO/IDALEA CINQUEMANI
ANDREA
MAX
NED
Jacob is an easy going guy.
Andrea is very proud.
Max has a temper.
Ned is very anxious.
He always goes with the flow and is well-liked by others. Jacob usually seems relaxed and carefree.
Her confidence and ambition help her excel in all that she does. Andrea successfully achieves goals she sets for herself.
He gets angry easily at his roommates, professors, family, and even friends. It’s hard for Max to sit down and talk to others about what is bothering him.
He becomes easily overwhelmed when a lot of work is due at once. Ned struggles to stay organized and worries that he won’t get it all done.
Have you ever felt like Jacob?
Have you ever felt like Andrea?
Have you ever felt like Max?
Have you ever felt like Ned?
The SJUOK? campaign and its characters were designed by student graphic design majors, including Rebecca Brooker, Idalea Cinquemani, Benjamin Hunt, Elizabeth Kohler and Michael Lagattuta who were under the advisement of Prof. Aaris Sherin, an Assistant Chairperson in the Department of Art and Design.
Student designers Michael Lagattuta, Elizabeth Kohler, Idalea Cinquemani and Rebecca Brooker pose with the SJUOK? backdrop.
St. John’s students sport SJUOK? shirts in support of the event.
KARLA REYES Staff Writer
An infuser water bottle was also given to those who donated. Large water tanks were placed around the perimeter of the Great Lawn where people could fill up their bottles. Each table also had fruits like oranges and strawberries to place in the water bottle. “I think the water bottle was a good touch because it gives you that first step to taking care of yourself,” said freshman Alexandria Lagon. “I’m an advocate for selfcare so I really liked the self-care station. I feel like I can maybe teach people how to look out for themselves.” Self-care methods are actions that positively affect emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health. According to a flyer distributed at the event, some methods of self-care include having a balanced diet, meditation, physical movement and even socializing. A helpful tip is to keep a self-care goal each week. The first step in preventing suicide is to know the warning signs. If you or someone you know has contemplated suicide you can contact the Center for Counseling and Consultation at 718-990-6384. The office is open Monday through Friday and is located in Marillac Hall in room 130. In case of an emergency you can contact Public Safety at 718-990-5252 or call 911.
On Thursday, Oct. 6, the Office of Student Wellness hosted its second annual Suicide Awareness Event on the Great Lawn. The Office of Student Wellness partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to host the event. The event was part of a new movement called SJUOK? It was developed with students to “increase awareness of suicide and its signs and symptoms and expand access to mental health treatment and resources,” according to the St. John’s website. SJUOK? utilizes a set of characters that
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JACOB
TORCH PHOTO/KARLA REYES
Over 350 students were engaged and educated about the warning signs of suicidal behaviors and how to assist a friend in need
are tied to emotions and help give these feelings a persona. This is to aid in de-stigmatizing mental illness by making it more relatable. The characters are identifiable by color and shape, according to SJU’s website (http://www.stjohns.edu/student-life/
health-and-wellness/sjuok). Faculty and students gathered around four separate tables which highlighted important facts about suicide, including warning signs, how to respond when you know someone is in danger, examples of self-care and tips on how to help a friend. Some warning signs include perpetual feelings of sadness, loss of appetite, lack of coping skills, and statements of self-harm. “I think it’s better that I know the warning signs now because I know I’ll be prepared in that situation,” said freshman JoAnn Depestre. “Even if I can’t do something I can at least give them information so they can go to somebody who might be better equipped to help them out.” “Over 350 students were engaged and educated about the warning signs of suicidal behaviors and how to assist a friend in need,” said Dr. Manzo, Director of Student Wellness. There was a small registration fee of $1 which covered the cost of the Suicide Awareness walk. All the proceeds went to the New York chapter of the foundation. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a national non-profit organization that uses scientific research and education to help those affected by suicide, according to the foundation’s website (https://afsp.org/ about-afsp/). The walk raised over $1000 for the Foundation, according to Dr. Manzo.
TORCH PHOTO/KARLA REYES