National Suicide Prevention Week at PFW: Together, we can prevent suicide

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—One person dies by suicide every 13 minutes. Every day, 123 people die by suicide. In Indiana, one person dies by suicide every 8 hours. There is one suicide for every 25 suicide attempts. Every year, 1,100 college students die by suicide. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students.

Purdue University Fort Wayne wants the community to know the following informational and educational events are free and open to everyone. Students, staff, faculty, and community members are encouraged to attend, especially if you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts.

Third Annual Shoes for Hope
Monday, September 9–Monday, September 30
Donate shoes! We will collect 1,100 pairs of shoes, representing the number of college students lost to suicide each year. Shoes will have a new home with people at the following organizations: Blue Jacket Clothing Company, Cross Border Partners, YWCA NEI Dress for Success, Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, Charis House, and Lydia’s Closet.

Collection Barrel Locations: Athletics Center, first floor; Helmke Library near the entrance; Liberal Arts, first floor lounge; Engineering, first floor lobby; Neff Hall, IUFW Central lobby area; Rhinehart Music Center, first floor lobby; Walb Union, entrance by parking garage 2; Student Housing Clubhouse; Science Building, first floor lounge; and Kettler Hall, ground floor by Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Monday, September 9

• Positive Post-It Notes: Share words of encouragement and support throughout campus. Give a supportive note for someone, take a note if you need one. At these locations:
  • Center for Women and Returning Adults, Walb Union, Room 120, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.  
  • Student Housing, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
  • Kettler Hall, ground floor, 10 a.m.–noon
  • IUFW Student Central, Neff Hall, Room 110, 10 a.m.–noon
• Three Rivers Visiting Dogs, Walb Union, next to Java Spot, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Tuesday, September 10

• Mental Health Resource Fair, Science Mall, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit with campus and community individuals and resource sites for:
  • Suicide prevention information
  • Mental healthcare education
  • Coping skills
  • Learn how to help a friend
• Three Rivers Visiting Dogs, Helmke Library
• Yoga, Walb Union, Room 114, 1:30–2:15 p.m.
• Suicide Survivor Candlelight Ceremony, 6:30–8 p.m. at Lakeside Rose Garden
  • Come to honor or remember loved ones lost to suicide. Sponsored by STOP Suicide of Northeast Indiana, this event can help promote and support healing for families and friends.
  • Round-trip transportation will be available at Walb Union to transport students interested in attending beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 11

• 9/11 Commemoration and Military Resource Fair, Science Mall, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Join us as we commemorate 9/11 with our ROTC Honor Guard.
  • Visit with campus and community individuals and resource sites supporting our active duty members and veterans.
  • Many Veterans Administration departments and campus resources will be available to assist with information for:
    • Suicide prevention
    • Mental healthcare education
    • Coping skills
    • Helping peers
    • Accessing VA services.

• PAWS Therapy Dogs in Helmke Library, 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 12 

• Positive Post-It Notes: Share words of encouragement and support throughout campus. Give a supportive note for someone, take a note if you need one. At these locations:
  • Walb Union, next to Java Spot, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Kettler Hall, ground floor, 10 a.m.–noon
  • Purdue Fort Wayne Student Housing 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

• Three Rivers Visiting Dogs, Walb Union, next to Java Spot, 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Project COMPASS Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
  • Kettler Hall, Room G 83, 1:30-4:30 p.m. (Located behind Bursar’s office.)
  • Learn about suicide prevention, warning signs, resources, and how to help someone in a crisis.
  • Contact [email protected] to register.
  • Walk-ins welcome. 

Friday, September 13 

• Project COMPASS Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
  • Kettler Hall, Room G 83, 9 a.m.–noon (located behind Bursar’s office).
  • Learn about suicide prevention, warning signs, resources, and how to help someone in a crisis.
  • Contact [email protected] to register.
  • Walk-ins welcome. 

Everyday Resources

Need someone to talk to? 

• Students can contact Purdue Fort Wayne Student Assistant Program (SAP) in Walb Union, Room 113, for no-charge counseling.
  • Call 260-744-4326 or visit pfw.edu/counseling.
  • SAP works in collaboration with Headwaters Counseling.

• Purdue Fort Wayne benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and covered family members can contact Purdue Fort Wayne’s Employee Assistance Program.
  • No-charge counseling at Bowen Center, 1-800-342-5653.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, FREE confidential support 24/7: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) 
• Crisis Text Line (US): Text HOME to 741741
• Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255, press 1, confidential chat.
  • veteranscrisisline.net
  • Text to 838255 

• The TREVOR Project: Confidential support 24/7
  • TrevorLifeline 1-866-488-7386,   
  • TrevorText: text START to 678678

Useful web pages: 

• nationalsuicidepreventionlifeline.org
• thetrevorproject.org
• veteranscrisisline.net
• projectsemicolon.org

Suicide Prevention Week Partners

Project COMPASS (Community Partners Against Student Suicide), the LGBTQ Resource Center, Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, the Center for Women and Returning Adults, Campus Health Clinic, Military Student Services, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Student Housing, Student Government Association, Office of the Dean of Students, Services for Students with Disabilities, and Human Resources and Office of Institutional Equity

For more information contact Mary Ross, MSW, Project COMPASS and Purdue Aware, at 260-341-1679 or [email protected].  

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