Yellow T-shirts were worn this past Tuesday in honor of those who have been affected by suicide.

At the Ceddia Union Building (CUB) Amphitheater, a vigil was held at 8 p.m. by prominent members of Shippensburg University to speak about suicide awareness.

In 2013, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States for all ages, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The main idea of the event was to spread awareness about suicide and to develop ways to cope with depression, suicidal thoughts and other negative factors that can lead to suicide.

The event began with an introduction from Naugle Hall Resident Director Christopher Ossont. He began by welcoming everyone and sharing facts about suicide and ways for students to help themselves or the ones around them.

Suicide affects 30,000 Americans a year and is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15-24, according to Ossont.

“We stand together, we stand united and we will bring awareness to this,” Ossont said.

The first step to overcoming the battle or trying to help a friend in need is to ask them. Ossont told the audience it is very important to listen without placing any judgment on the individuals who are struggling. Listening is supporting.

He ended with the cracking of the yellow glow sticks to honor those who are fighting and remember those lost to suicide.

At the event, yellow streamers and balloons were all around for remembrance. The campus dining services also supplied cupcakes with yellow icing.

Campus minister the Rev. Jan Bye gave the next testimony. Bye tolled a bell four times and invited the audience to call out the names of anyone they knew affected by suicide for additional tolls.

“On average, four people will take their lives by suicide within the time of this event,” Bye said.

After sharing each line from a reading, Bye gave students the opportunity to respond with, “We remember them.”

At the conclusion of the event, Chris Carlton of the University Counseling Center (UCC) advised those who are struggling and made it known that the counseling center is always open to phone calls and to talk.

The vigil concluded with Carlton inviting the audience to form two lines and face one another, representing the fact that students see dozens of people every day they do not know, and have no idea what they are feeling or going through on a daily basis. Carlton reminded students to always think of others.

“The part where we got to stand across from people we don’t know really stuck with me. It put an emphasis on the people you pass by every day,” senior Jamie Bouder said.

“You don’t know what their story is.”

The event was put together by Rho Alpha Sigma, Kappa Delta Phi Civic Engagement and Roger Serr, vice president for student affairs.

Multicultural Student Affairs, the Spiritual Center, the counseling center and office of housing and residence life supported the event.

If a student needs to talk about suicide or is concerned about someone close to them, help can be found at the counseling center.

The UCC is located in the lower level in the Wellness Center, Naugle Hall, located behind Reisner Dining Hall.

The UCC offers services for individual students, couples and group counseling for anyone in need.

It is open when students are taking classes in the fall and spring semesters from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Monday and Friday. For more information or to contact someone for the help needed, call the UCC at (717) 477-1481.

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