"The walk is a beautiful way to tie in mental health with physical health, as if they are holding hands," said Sofia Majid-Swanton, WCTC mental health counselor. "It raises awareness and really gets people talking about it."
PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024) – As part of National Suicide Prevention Month, Waukesha County Technical College will hold an event on campus to promote discourse, build
community and raise awareness around the topic of suicide and the importance of mental health.
On Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 1-2 p.m. the Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk will take place on a short indoor and outdoor route, for students, faculty and staff. It will be an opportunity to promote open conversations and destigmatize mental health issues, and connect with one another about this important topic.
The walk will begin in the Hub at 1 p.m., with remarks from Rich Barnhouse, Ph.D., WCTC president, along with Sofia Majid-Swanton and Amy Machgan, mental health counselor and director, respectively, with WCTC’s Mental Health Counseling Services. Event shirts -- which were graciously paid for through a donation from Eaton and feature a design created by a WCTC student -- will be available to students, free of charge. Staff and faculty may purchase a t-shirt for $10, with proceeds going to the WCTC chapter of Active Minds club.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for more than 49,000 deaths in 2022. The CDC says in that same year, an estimated 13.2 million adults seriously thought about suicide, with 3.8 million who made a plan for suicide and 16 million who attempted it.
Machgan and Majid-Swanton said the walk shows unity and provides a means for people to come together and focus on this serious public health problem.
“The walk is a beautiful way to tie in mental health with physical health, as if they are holding hands,” Majid-Swanton said. “It raises awareness and really gets people talking about it.”
WCTC’s Mental Health Counseling Services provides multiple resources to help students who find themselves in need of assistance on a range of topics, among them how to cope with issues surrounding anxiety, depression and loneliness; relationship concerns; self-harm; grief and loss; substance abuse; and other issues. Experienced licensed mental health counselors are on hand to provide students with confidential counseling services to help empower them to accomplish their academic and personal goals and make healthy decisions along that journey.
“I feel that mental health -- mental wellness -- is the foundation that leads to academic success, which aligns with the College’s values,” Majid-Swanton said, noting her goal is to help students be the best they can be in their personal, career and academic goals.
Machgan also stressed the importance of staff and faculty paying attention to their mental health needs, and use the resources available to them, such as the Employee Assistance Plan, if they find themselves having challenges.
“We definitely encourage our students to come and talk with us (in Mental Health Counseling Services) so we can provide them with resources and strategies to cope,” Machgan said, “and it’s very important that our faculty and staff are taking care of their own mental health, too.”
The Mental Health Counseling Services team is holding special events throughout the fall to encourage students, faculty and staff to learn more about the many resources available.
- On Tuesday, Sept., 10, from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. – Mental Health Counseling Services Open House in the College Center, C-022
- View the space, visit the Mindful Nest, meet therapy dog Maple from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
- On Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. – Ollie’s Care Fair in the Hub
- Learn ways to care for mind, body and soul, including mindfulness sessions, breathing and tapping, sound bowls, pet therapy and more
- Receive free select health screenings and pampering services
- Connect with students, staff, clubs and community organizations
- Various days – meet therapy dogs Maple and Merida
- Maple – second Tuesday of each month from September-May, 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the WCTC Library
- Merida – select Thursdays through December (Sept. 12, Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 14, Dec. 12) 1:30-2:30 p.m. in Building I near I-122.
To learn more about WCTC Mental Health Couseling Services, visit https://libguides.wctc.edu/counseling/home.