San Diego City College, in partnership with various other organizations, including Mental Health Counseling, held its annual Suicide Prevention Fair on Sept. 26.

The event was designed to raise awareness of preventative services and community resources available through City College and partner organizations.

Peer educators from the Mental Health Counseling Center held free depression screenings, offered free food and music, and made a variety of de-stressing activities available.

The activities included popular de-stressors like arts and crafts, games, meditation, and yoga, and the Humane Society brought dogs from its Pet-Assisted Therapy group.

“There’s a lot more resources that are available now that a lot of people don’t know about,” said Larry Della, a first-year student at City College. “It was cool to see how the groups were highlighting all the resources available because we need to stop stigmatizing suicide.”

The fair coincided with World Suicide Prevention Day, observed every Sept. 10, and the start of National Suicide Prevention Week.

Other organizations present at the fair, which provide services to those in need included Family Health Centers of San Diego, The San Diego LGBT Community Center, Jane Westin Center, Areta Crowell Wellness Recovery Center, Kickstart San Diego and Sharp Mesa Vista.  

The Mental Health Counseling Center, which is located in BT-105 and open five days a week, offers a variety of confidential, culturally-sensitive mental health services.

Services are covered under the health fee and are free to all attending City College. Students do not need to have serious mental health issues to access MHCC services.  

Appointments can be made by phone at 619-388-3055 or online at www.sdcity.edu/mentalhealthcounseling.

Suicide Lifeline: If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night, text COURAGE to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or chat online.