SGA Hosts Panel On Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Resources

Angela Rivas / Contributing Writer & Teresa Schuster / Asst. News Director

FIU’s Student Government Association hosted a panel discussion, to spread information about suicide prevention and mental health resources on World Suicide Prevention Day.

FIU health education specialist Victoria Gonzalez opened the event with a guided mindfulness meditation for attendees.

“Imagine your thoughts as cars driving down the street or clouds floating in the sky,” Gonzalez told attendees. “Whisper to yourself: I am safe, I am loved, I am worthy.”

Panelists highlighted the prevalence of suicidal thoughts.

“1 in 5 college students have thoughts of suicide,“ said Pilar Siman, a therapist at FIU’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) center.

Siman compared feeling suicidal to the feeling of drowning in an ocean.

“When you are drowning all your energy is going into staying afloat, and you are exhausted,” Siman said.

But there are many misconceptions about suicidal thoughts.

According to Gonzalez, the biggest is that they must “[be] a certain way” for everyone.

Vania Macrohon, a counselor at FIU’s Victim Empowerment Program, told attendees that suicide ideation is commonly seen as weakness.

”It is not,” Macrohon said. “It comes from a place of exhaustion.”

FIU offers various resources to support students struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Siman compared these resources to “a liferaft to hold on to,” and said they help students “feel less trapped.”

FIU’s CAPS center is still operating, although remotely. Panthers Care, a program focusing on students’ overall well-being, is also available.

There were almost 900 referrals through the program during the 2019-2020 academic year, according to Bronwen Bares Pelaez, FIU’s dean of students. Almost 200 of those referrals involved mental health challenges.

“If you don’t know [where] to start, submit your Panthers Care referral [form],” urged Pelaez.

FIU’s Healthy Living Program (HLP) offers massage therapy, stress management techniques, and outreach programs. Gonzalez said this is beneficial for students’ mental health and can create a sense of community among them.

HLP is taking precautions by requiring masks for in-person sessions and having limited spots available per day. Massage therapy and acupuncture are currently being held in the Student Health Center hallway. 

 “If you are experiencing [suicidal ideation] or a friend is experiencing this, you are far from alone,” said Pelaez.

Everyone copes with suicidal thoughts in different ways, according to Gonzalez.

She said exercise and dancing around her apartment help her, among other things.

If you are struggling, do not be scared to be vulnerable,” Gonzalez advised attendees. “Vulnerability is healing and it is powerful.”

She and the other panelists also emphasized the importance of talking to others when concerned about their mental health.

Macrohon told attendees never to wait until a different day.

“Today might be the day they hope someone notices how much pain they are in,” she said. 

Pelaez echoed Macrohon’s sentiments.

“If you have a sense that someone needs help, chances are they do,” said Pelaez. “You could be saving their lives.”

Pelaez reminded students to take advantage of FIU’s mental health resources, pointing out that students already pay for them as part of their health fee.

“If you think someone needs help, throw them that life raft. We have them at FIU,” said Pelaez.