Thursday, September 16, 2021
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Alyssa Hardaway Staff Reporter
one’s life, said Freeny. Utilizing mental health resources on and off campus such as University Counseling Services (UCS), Call Sam, Grand Lake Mental Health Center and many other available resources is important when one is beginning to feel overwhelmed or hopeless. “I think it’s important that mental health is not overlooked, especially in college,” said Gracie Jaggars, an applied exercise science major at OSU. “This is a time in our lives where we are in a new environment where you already kind of feel alone.” It is important that students know the UCS along with many professors are willing to talk and help in any way they can. It is easy to fall behind in not taking time for yourself and it can be easy to fall behind in checking up on yourself, that’s when it is especially important to use the services provided on and off campus, said Jaggars. Students and members within the communities find the importance of utilizing mental health services on campus as well as informing others about their options very important. To find more information on the provided services within the OSU community and events partaking for suicide prevention awareness go to https://wellness. okstate.edu/student-wellness/ resources.html.
As the semester continues to progress and deadlines are coming up, it can be easy to fall behind in mental health care. As suicide prevention awareness takes place the month of September, the Oklahoma State and Stillwater community host events and communicate resources available to those who battle depression, thoughts of suicide and other mental health illnesses. Send Silence Packing is an exhibit taking place September 23, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the Life Sciences East Lawn exhibiting action for suicide prevention, connecting viewers to resources for mental health and starting action within the community. Angie Freeny, a community relations and prevention programs director for Payne County Youth Services finds it important to offer hope to those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings. “A huge thing is to offer someone hope,” said Freeny. “A lot of individuals that are experiencing these types of thoughts are feeling hopeless and that nothing is going to get better, or nothing is going to change.” The foundation for suicide prevention awareness is providing hope for people. By listening and talking with someone who is feeling hopeless, you can make a big difference in somenews.ed@ocolly.com
Non-traditional sorority Ben Cohen
Mikayla Lamirand faced any challenges Staff Reporter or issues regarding our
faith and beliefs, so far. As far as being the only Christian Sorority on campus, we just view it as an opportunity to share Jesus and try to recruit any women looking for a Christian community. I think the biggest struggle has been being able to reach out due to Covid,” Milhem said. Hayley Shelton is another member of the Phi Lamb sorority. “We’re pretty grounded and rooted in who we are, we are unashamed of spreading the word and being there for each other. I feel like we are all pretty connected and plugged in,’’ Shelton said. The members are very excited about the new school year, especially after facing the difficulties and negative emotions from the previous school year regarding the ongoing pandemic therefore causing their membership to be down. They have been looking forward to bringing back a Godly community to those who either weren’t able to find a Godly community, or those who weren’t able to as involved in their Godly community due to differences in circumstance and environment during the previous school year.
Sigma Phi Lambda has been creating an inclusive, Godly environment since 2006 at Oklahoma State. It’s name in Greek translates to “sisters for the Lord”, and their vision is to empower and lift both each other and women that they don’t yet know yet. They are non--denominational and accept everyone from all walks of life, and are happy to share the love and light of Christ with anyone they meet, Christian or not. They do their best to make freshmen who may be looking for a Christian community welcome, and they pride themselves on doing everything in their power to make them feel more rooted and connected during their transition from high school to college. Grace Voth is a member of Phi Lamb. “I absolutely love Phi Lamb, it’s where I found the sweetest gals. It takes a while to find your people at college and who you’re gonna be. These are the gals that I do lunch dates and study dates with, they’re my community on campus,” Grace Voth said. Georgia Milhem is the current president entertainment.ed of Phi Lamb. “We haven’t @ocolly.com
Courtesy of Phi Lamb member Allyson Luckie Phi Lamb members Allyson Luckie and Kadee Witter at Fall 2021 recruitment.