“Suicide is 100 percent preventable. If we stress awareness and education about the matter, lives can be saved,” said Abigail Burd, a Mental Health counselor at City College.

City College’s Mental Health Center collaborated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Yellow Ribbon Society of San Diego to promote National Suicide Prevention Week by hosting a Suicide Awareness Fair in the Gorton Quad Sept. 8 .

According to the World Health Organization suicide is one of the top 20 leading causes of death globally. About one million people die from suicide annually and in San Diego County. Suicide is the leading cause of non-natural death.

“Be an ambassador. Get a troubled friend or loved one help before it’s too late,” said Leslie Easton, coordinator of City Colleges Mental Health Center.

Over the past decade, Easton has managed to turn City College’s Mental Health Center into a place of “opening arms”. Easton said she has witnessed dramatic changes in the center including the services provided, the mission of the department, and the information provided.

Some of the support and information provided by City Colleges Mental Health staff are in regards to: anxiety, stress, continued sadness, relationship and family issues, anger management, and studying or test taking problems.“We’re a place with opened arms,” Easton said. “Our mission is to have every student; every faculty and staff member know who we are and what we do at the Mental Health Center.”

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Yellow Ribbon Society of San Diego, both believe that the only combat for Suicide is awareness and education.

“Suicide doesn’t care about race, class, gender, or sexual orientation,” said Stan Collins, a program and youth coordinator at the Yellow Ribbon Society of San Diego. “The only combat for suicide is education.”

“Together we can make our campus a haven. Together we can make our society a haven. The more we advocate and participate; the safer our campus is in regards to suicidal talk,” said Larissa Dorman, political science professor at City.

If you or someone you know are displaying the following signs: feeling trapped-like there is no way out, increasing alcohol or drug usage, withdrawing from friends, family, and society, seeing no reason for living or having no sense or purpose in life call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.

San Diego County also has a 24 hour crisis line at 1-800-479-3339.