Students leave kind messages

Students left words of encouragement for each other at SGA's "Write One, Take One" table. Avery Lewis photo

Students walking through campus had the opportunity to leave a few words of encouragement for a stranger and take a message for themselves as part of a suicide awareness initiative hosted by the Student Government Association.

The “Write One, Take One” table encouraged students to write positive or supportive messages on cards for other students to read. Students could then choose a card that resonated with them to take with them.

The event was held as part of Suicide Awareness Month and was organized by SGA’s Student Services Committee. The committee said the goal was to create a visible reminder that students are supported, and that mental health struggles do not have to be faced alone.

“We really want to prioritize people seeing the Student Government Association and seeing the work we are doing,” said Trey Brown, a junior physical education major from Eufaula, Alabama, and chairman of the Student Services Committee. “We are out here providing services. With the “Write One, Take One” table, we really want to advertise suicide awareness.”

Brown said suicide is often a difficult subject for people to discuss, making opportunities to address mental health openly important.

“This is one of the most un-talked-about things on a day-to-day basis,” Brown said. “There may be someone who last night thought about suicide, but this card could encourage them to change their mind.”

Rather than focusing only on the serious nature of suicide awareness, the table gave students a simple way to participate in spreading encouragement throughout campus.

“We want to let students know that they are supported, seen and loved,” Brown said. “We really wanted to cover that with this table.”

For some students, the event also provided an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences with mental health.

Garrison Little, a freshman biomedical sciences major from Saraland, Alabama, said mental health awareness is important to him because of his own experiences.

“Mental health is a real thing,” Little said. “Personally, I’m in therapy, and I went to the doctor about a month ago and have been put on anxiety medication.”

Little said he was glad to see SGA become involved in issues that affect students beyond the classroom.

“I love seeing SGA get involved in student lives,” Little said.

The message Little chose to leave for another student was short but intentional: “Don’t struggle alone.”

For other students, the table served as a way to create a more positive campus environment.

Lilly Gallavan, a freshman nursing major from Helena, Alabama, said the activity gave students an opportunity to encourage one another.

“I think it’s a really good thing to get around campus,” Gallavan said. “It’s definitely an uplifting thing. You get to help other people on our campus and uplift yourself as well.”

Gallavan said SGA’s decision to host the event demonstrated its commitment to addressing issues affecting students.

“I think SGA holding something like this is a big step for the school and shows their commitment to the students,” Gallavan said.

While the cards may contain only a few words, SGA hopes the messages can have an impact on students who may be struggling privately.

The “Write One, Take One” table gave students a way to participate without having to share their personal experiences publicly. By writing a message for someone else or taking one that spoke to them, students could contribute to a campus culture centered on support and encouragement.

For SGA, the initiative was part of a larger effort to make students aware of the organization and its services while addressing an issue that can affect college students.

Brown said the messages were ultimately meant to remind students that they are not alone.

“We want to let students know that they are supported, seen and loved,” Brown said.