On Sept. 16, a vibrant display of 1,100 t-shirts arranged in a striking wheel formation were laid out across Butler Plaza for the annual ‘End the Stigma’ event. The t-shirts represent the estimated number of college students who lose their lives to suicide each year in the United States.

The initiative, created by the UH Student Government Association and UH Counseling and Psychological Services aims to acknowledge Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month and promote conversations to break the stigma surrounding mental health.

Diego Arriaga, president of the UH Student Government Association, highlighted the powerful impact of the t-shirt display. “It gives us a chance to reflect on the value of human life. It’s a reminder to always look out for one another; a simple gesture — a smile, a kind word or even holding the door open — can make a significant difference. You never know what someone is going through and how your actions could be saving a life or even multiple lives,” he explained.

The SGA contacted several campus groups, such as the Residence Hall Association and Center for Student Media and leveraged social media to invite students to donate t-shirts at the SGA office.

The shirts were displayed in a vivid assortment of colors. This dynamic range of hues highlighted that mental health issues affect individuals across all backgrounds and demographics.

Tyler Luc, a UH student and mental health advocate who lost his brother to suicide in November 2020, shared his personal connection to the cause. “For me, suicide is no longer just a statistic, it’s a personal issue. My brother’s death has driven me to share my story and ensure that people feel comfortable addressing these conversations.”

Luc stressed the importance of recognizing the signs of mental distress and checking in on your loved ones. “Don’t be afraid to ask directly if someone is feeling suicidal,” Luc advised. “Educate yourself on the signs of someone who’s in crisis, be ready to share resources that are available such as CAPS and the 988 hotline and remember that we also are a resource for someone who is struggling.”

The overarching goal of the ‘End the Stigma’ event is to engage students in conversations about mental health on college campuses, providing them with a space to openly acknowledge their mental health needs and seek support.

“Everyone’s experiences are unique, making sure we have the resources and the vocabulary to talk about suicide in a way that’s compassionate, frank and direct, free of stigma and shame is important,” Luc said.

UH is in the second of a four-year JED Campus Initiative. Already, significant strides have been made. The project aims to build a comprehensive support network on campus, ensuring that every student knows they are not alone and has access to the mental health, substance use and suicide prevention resources they need.

Whether you are seeking help for yourself or someone else, or if you just want to learn more, visit CoogsCARE. Last month, UH released a CoogsCARE Toolkit. This essential resource is designed to assist one another in identifying and supporting individuals within our community who may need help. Additionally, UH offers a variety of services, training, and resources to support the UH community.