By Madison Thompson–

Cards SPEAK held events this week, National Suicide Prevention Week, to raise suicide awareness. One event, the Lift Up Fair, featured RSOs and booths from campus facilities.

The Veteran’s Administration, the LGBT Center, the counseling center, Health Promotion, Public House, NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness, Active Minds, Engage Lead Serve and representatives from Cards SPEAK all made an appearance.

The goal of this event was to bring awareness of Suicide Prevention Week and to educate others about how to handle difficult situations. There is training available for students who would like to know how to handle the stress of everyday life as well as training in identifying the symptoms of students potentially thinking about suicide.

The goal of Cards SPEAK is not only to offer training, the group has been on a mission for years to aid college students considering suicide or those who’ve been affected by suicide.

When it comes to personal mental health, Director of Cards SPEAK Tracie Meyer believes that it all starts with overall health.

“I think it is overall wellness. I know it is hard sometimes to eat a healthy diet…and sleep I think for students is a big thing,” said Meyer.

Meyer went on to praise Hakeem Rahim, the Lift Up Fair guest speaker, for sharing his uplifting story about overall wellness. Rahim also offered students techniques for meditation and how to quiet the mind.

“I do think mindfulness helps. Whether it’s going for a walk in nature or being very specific and sitting there, reading. I think connection is a huge resiliency factor, that having groups, people, some entity that you’re connected to is very important as well,” said Meyer.

In her closing comments, Meyer said, “I think reaching out is important. A person might feel awkward, embarrassment or a burden, but there are people on campus who are here to help and who are prepared to help.”

Photo by Madison Thompson/ The Louisville Cardinal