ULM Hosts 3rd Annual "Reach Out And Help" Event
By: Alanna Quillen
Updated: November 16, 2012
MONROE -- Students and the community gathered outside of ULM's Library today, all in an effort to raise awareness of suicide.
ULM's Helping Educators and Students Prevent Suicide (HELPS) hosted the third annual "Reach Out and Help" event at Bayou Park on campus Thursday morning.
The event educated the public on suicide prevention and helping others get the help they need. Organizers say they want to de-stigmatize suicide.
"To let people know that it happens to even very good people," said Dr. William McCowm, ULM Graduate School Director. "It's not a moral or spiritual problem, it's a psychological, even brain disease. And by recognizing that, we can de-stigmatize it, get people the help they need before they do something drastic or irreversible."
In addition to music, food and prizes, people formed a caring circle -- holding hands as a symbol of hope.
A balloon launch wrapped everything up a today's event.
"If you need help, ask someone," said McCowm. "Don't feel like you're being intrusive. People feel better when they express themselves."
ULM's Helping Educators and Students Prevent Suicide (HELPS) hosted the third annual "Reach Out and Help" event at Bayou Park on campus Thursday morning.
The event educated the public on suicide prevention and helping others get the help they need. Organizers say they want to de-stigmatize suicide.
"To let people know that it happens to even very good people," said Dr. William McCowm, ULM Graduate School Director. "It's not a moral or spiritual problem, it's a psychological, even brain disease. And by recognizing that, we can de-stigmatize it, get people the help they need before they do something drastic or irreversible."
In addition to music, food and prizes, people formed a caring circle -- holding hands as a symbol of hope.
A balloon launch wrapped everything up a today's event.
"If you need help, ask someone," said McCowm. "Don't feel like you're being intrusive. People feel better when they express themselves."
