In November, KU Chabad hosted an evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health awareness workshop.
Earlier this fall, Rabbi Zalman and Nechama Dina Tiechtel, co-directors of KU Chabad, hosted a mental health retreat for students. They said that many students shared their personal struggles with depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts, and KU Chabad’s 24-hour text line, Joel’s Helpline, is regularly inundated with requests for help and support.
“Our goal is to support our students not only with their physical needs, but emotionally and mentally as well,” Nechama Tiechtel said. “When we see again and again how many students struggle, we realize how important it is to address this issue head-on and be preventive.”
Leigh Ioffe, certified “safeTALK” trainer and mental health advocate, led the workshop. She leads an organization called “The Long Short Road” with the mission to save lives through education, awareness, and community support. Ioffe equipped the student participants with hands-on tools, knowledge and awareness to serve as support for themselves and their peers who may be going through a crisis.
“It was amazing to bear witness to the students' passion for supporting their friends,” Ioffe said. “Conversation about mental wellness and suicide prevention can be life-changing, and it was an honor to have such a discussion with the students. I’m grateful to KU Chabad for their dedication to supporting their students’ mental wellbeing.”
The event, “Let’s Taco ‘Bout Suicide Prevention,” included a kosher Chipotle taco bar and interactive training. It was planned and prepared by student interns called “Ambassadors of Strength.” These student volunteers are tasked with serving as peer support to promote mental health and wellness.
“I'm really happy about the [event’s] turnout,” said Molly Ellner, a KU senior from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and an Ambassador of Strength. “Leigh was so engaging and personable. Many of the students expressed to me how much they enjoyed the event. I gained a lot of knowledge that I didn't know before. My biggest take away was that we should talk about suicide. It's important to check in and be active listeners to people. We need to express that we care about others and to show up in their lives.”
“Tonight's guest speaker and presentation was very important and impactful,” Ellie Segal, a junior at KU, said. “Mental health is a huge issue around the world and isn't talked about enough. It affects almost everyone, especially college kids. Having a resource through KU Chabad to teach us about mental health awareness was such a privilege. Chabad is a strong community that makes sure no one feels alone.”
This event was another aspect of KU Chabad’s concerted effort to promote mental health for college students. Support for this program came from the Jewish Community Foundation Legacy Fund.
