INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, an annual awareness campaign that takes place during the week of September 10th, which is World Suicide Prevention Day. September is Suicide Prevention Month.

Each year, over 44,000 Americans die by suicide. Men die by suicide 3.5x more often than women. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the 2nd leading cause of death for college-age youth (ages 18-22).

Sigma Tau Gamma has been affected by suicide too often for us not to take a stand and make a pledge to care for our brothers. Communities have an important role to play in supporting those who are vulnerable. Chapters are communities for members who can help brothers overcome the stigma and seek the help they may need.

Our Principles of Leadership and Brotherhood remind us to never hesitate in lending assistance to a Brother in need and of our life-long commitment to one another.

What can you do as a chapter?

• Share information about your campus counseling center at your chapter meeting – hours, location, phone number, services, etc.
• To speak with someone about yourself or someone you are concerned about, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
• If you are ever concerned someone’s life is in danger, call 9-1-1 or go directly to emergency services.

Please familiarize yourself with the following national awareness campaigns and initiatives.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• #BeThe1To – This is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond, spreading the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide.
• Take 5 to Save Lives – Take 5 to Save Lives encourages people to take five minutes to learn five actionable steps they can take around suicide prevention.
• Movember Foundation – The Movember Foundation provides information specific to men and their mental health.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – AFSP is dedicated to education, research, and training on suicide prevention.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness – NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
• The Jason Foundation – The Jason Foundation is dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth.

Together, we can decrease the number of people who die by suicide each year by raising awareness, fighting stigma, and caring for one another.

###
ABOUT SIGMA TAU GAMMA FRATERNITY
Founded at the University of Central Missouri on June 28, 1920, the organization will commemorate its 100th Anniversary in 2020. With a presence on 87 campuses in 31 states, our membership includes 3,000 undergraduate men and 61,000 living alumni. The Headquarters, which is home to the Fraternity, Foundation, and WPN Housing Company, is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, 12 miles from the center of downtown. Visit https://sigtau.org for additional information.