Sigma Pi Participating in Suicide Prevention Month

Written By: Chris Carter

Posted September 7, 2015

During the week of September 7-13, Sigma Pi Fraternity Intl. will be observing Suicide Prevention Week. We encourage all of our chapters and members to participate in this week to support our international philanthropy, the Sean Vernon Feliciano Amazing Day Foundation.

After brother Sean Vernon Feliciano of Alpha-Omicron Chapter at the University of California Santa Barbara ended his life in March 2009, his surviving family and friends founded the Sean Vernon Feliciano Amazing Day Foundation in his memory. The Amazing Day Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money to help create awareness and reduce the amount of college student suicides on campuses across the country.

DID YOU KNOW?

Over 30,000 people in the U.S. kill themselves every year
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 – 24 year olds
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college age teens
1 out of 12 college students has a suicide plan
More children and young adults die from suicide every year than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke and chronic lung disease combined
Every suicide intimately affects 6 other people
Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than females
In the U.S. 100 teens a week die from suicide

* As cited on Amazing Day Foundation website

Here’s what you can do to support this cause:

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK
September 7-13, 2015

Amazing Day Cover Photo

Share the suicide prevention educational materials that are posted by the Executive Office with your members and community
Perform random acts of kindness around your campus to brighten someone’s day
Share inspirational videos or positive images around your campus to show that life is amazing
Use #lifeisamazing #sigmapi to promote suicide awareness on social media

WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY
Thursday, September 10, 2015

We are asking that all of our members wear purple and turquoise in support of suicide prevention
Post photos of your chapter wearing purple and turquoise on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #lifeisamazing #sigmapi
All chapters that submit a photo will be entered into a drawing to win Amazing Day & Sigma Pi t-shirts for your entire chapter.

A CHALLENGE TO OUR MEMBERS

Bring a guest speaker to your chapter meeting during month of September to discuss suicide prevention, suicide intervention and mental health. Potential speakers could be from various departments at your school including Counseling Services, Student Health Services or Psychological Services
Host your Amazing Day Event during Suicide Prevention Week to fulfill your chapter’s Standards of Excellence expectation
Change your facebook cover photo and profile picture for the week using our campaign photos
Each day we will release inspirational quote photos like the one below. Please share these with your chapter and on social media using #lifeisamazing #sigmapi

COMMUNITY ACTION IDEAS

Host a Candlelight Vigil or Remembrance Ceremony for those affected by suicide
Hold an Awareness Walk to show your support of educating your community of college student suicide
Make and distribute purple and turquoise ribbons to support Suicide Prevention & Awareness
Donate money to The Sean Vernon Feliciano Amazing Day Foundation to help generate more awareness on this issue

IF YOU OR A FRIEND ARE IN A CRISIS, CALL:

Amazing Day Suicide Prevention