END THE STIGMA

October 5, 2023— In September, a colorful display of 1,100 t-shirts arranged in a wheel formation fluttered in Butler Plaza. The radiant display served a more somber but meaningful purpose. The t-shirts symbolized the approximate number of college students who die by suicide each year in the United States.

The project was the work of the University of Houston Student Government Association and UH Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to recognize Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month and to facilitate conversations that help end the stigma of mental health. In addition to campus seminars and events held that month, the installation was a tangible way the University demonstrated its solidarity and advocacy for improved mental health and wellbeing.  

The shirts were arranged in a striking array of colors, including red and white, as well as black and yellow hues. This vibrant spectrum served as reminder that mental health challenges transcend all backgrounds and demographics.

"Red and white are commonly associated with UH, but they also convey themes of love and emotions,” explained Benjamin Rizk, president of the Student Government Association. “We wanted every element of the display to carry a deliberate and meaningful message.”

The SGA reached out to various campus organizations, including the Residence Hall Association and Center for Student Media, and utilized social media to encourage students to drop off t-shirts at the SGA office.

"Participating in a mental health awareness event of this nature allows SGA to engage students in a conversation about college mental health and give students a voice and an outlet to openly recognize their own mental health needs and that of others without feeling ashamed of it,” Rizk explained.

Most importantly, it emphasized that the power of community and compassion can create a brighter and more resilient future.