Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24.
That's one of the reasons SIU-Carbondale is hosting a special suicide awareness and prevention event on campus this weekend.
Event coordinator Angela Peterman is a senior who works in SIU's Wellness and Health Promotion Services Department.
The event raised eight thousand dollars last year and she hopes to raise ten thousand this year. Peterman says almost all of the proceeds stay locally for programming and services.
"Here on campus we offer a Talk Safe Lives program and a gatekeeper training to help people when they see somebody struggling to help them see that there is help and they don't have to take their own life."
Peterman says there will be help on-site for those in need.
"The counseling and psychological services from Student Health will be there on hand if people do need any kind of help or just someone to talk to."
The full evening of events on Saturday starts at 4 near the front entrance of the Student Center with registration for the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk. Just before the walk at 5, a clinical psychologist will speak about the issue. A candlelight vigil follows the walk at the Student Services Building.
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