Reflections on Recent Suicides

A Statement from Alison Malmon, Active Minds Founder and Executive Director

Oct. 6, 2010

Dear Friends and Supporters,

This past week has not been easy. It’s been nearly impossible to turn on the television, visit a news site, or get on Facebook without learning of another young life cut tragically short by suicide. Tyler Clementi. Jacob Miller. Raymond Chase. Seth Walsh. Asher Brown. Billy Lucas. And unfortunately, we know that the list goes on. These are just the stories that make the news – according to research, with more than 1,100 college students dying by suicide every year, more than twenty young people have died by suicide in this past week alone – and there are many more who are suffering.

We are reminded that our work is more important than ever. Active Minds will continue to work tirelessly to create campuses across the country where young adults feel safe to be who they are, comfortable reaching out for help, and supported in their struggles. We will keep fighting against the stigma and shame that plague mental health in our society and prevent people from seeking the help they deserve. We will do all we can to get out messages out and into the hands, minds, and hearts of young adults. We will fight until our work is no longer relevant.

With that in mind, we are proud to stand with the Jed Foundation, MTV, and actress Brittany Snow in the newly launched Love is Louder movement. The social media campaign, also supported by DoSomething.org, Trevor Project, Reach Out, and the Ad Council, aims to spread messages of love and hope to young people who feel they might have run out of options. Read the full article, fan the Facebook page, and visit www.loveislouder.com to get involved. The more voices, the louder our message becomes.

We believe love is louder than hate. Louder than intolerance. Louder than shame. Louder than hopelessness. Do you?

Join us,

Alison Malmon
Active Minds Founder and Executive Director