Gannon, Erie Campus – September is national suicide prevention month and Active Minds, the mental health club on campus came together to spread awareness to the students at Gannon but also the local community.

Together they placed 1,100 purple flags along AJ’s way to represent college students who have passed away from suicide. Students also painted signs to display the statistics of students who have lost their lives but also words of encouragement to students who might need it.

President Zara Tommaney stated that the initial goal of the project is to bring awareness to the students on campus by using a physical representation.

“Whenever you have all the flags along the walkway of AJs way it’s really impactful because each one of those represents a student.”

The flags and signs will be placed along AJs way until the end of September to highlight the movement that Active Minds is aiming towards. You are not alone, and to stay another day.

Lori Robson from the Health and Wellness Center was there to advise the students with this project but also to spread awareness.

Lori stated that the main reasoning behind the project is to break the stigmas behind mental health. Stigmas around mental health has been around for a very long time, but by displaying these flags every year it allows students to know that just because they are struggling right now does not mean that they are going through this journey alone.

“Reduce stigma, to let students know that they are never alone.”

Students who are seeking a place to go to not feel alone can utilize the health and safety center, the active minds club or call the 988 hot line for more resources.