Camille Pfister
Editor-in-Chief
Mental health is an important topic that isn’t addressed or discussed nearly enough. According to the American Psychological Association, 60% of college students meet the criteria “for at least one mental health problem.” Despite this staggering statistic, there is still a stigma against reaching out for help or getting medication. This is why college campuses have begun hosting the Out of Darkness Campus Walk, and this year Sewanee is continuing the tradition after the inaugural event last year.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) launched the Campus Walks in 2010, and the program has grown massively, sponsoring 170 walks from now until June 7, all across the country. On AFSP’s website, they highlight three reasons to join the walks for change, which are: changing the culture, students can save lives, and preventing suicide.
Sister Hannah Winkler (T ‘20), Prioress at St. Mary’s Convent, was inspired to bring this walk to Sewanee after losing a friend and fellow student to suicide.
“My best friend, who was a Sewanee alumni, and graduated in 2019 from the seminary, took her life in September 2020,” Winkler said. “One of my friends at the University of Alabama invited me to participate in an Out of Darkness Walk, and it was really powerful for me. Seeing campus leaders, students, community leaders and members, all gather on campus to talk about this thing that people don’t like to talk about. Make it lose its power, create solidarity and community, promoting mental health.”
One of the biggest differences from last year’s event to this year is that the event will be held on the Quad instead of at the Chapel of the Apostles.
“Having it on the quad this year is great,” Winkler said. “I think it would be great for someone walking into campus, to see that Sewanee is encouraging of this, to promote mental health.”
This year, the event will take place on March 2, at 10:30 a.m., and will include a short program before the walk, where Reverend Dr. Melissa Hartley (C ‘93), will speak. Following the program, everyone will walk from the Quad to the Chapel of the Apostles.
“It’s a memorial in a way,” Elle Goodrich, staff member of duPont Library, and member of the planning committee, said. “So many of us have been touched by suicide, and it’s a way to remember them together, so you have a support system. The second purpose is to open up a conversation about suicide and mental health in general for college students.”
The walk is also to raise money for the AFSP, and anyone can donate to a specific person or team. If you register, you can try to raise money, and if you raise 100 dollars, you will receive a t-shirt. At the time of this article, Sewanee’s walk had raised 1,025 dollars. However, you do not have to register or donate to walk. The walk is open to all; students, community members, faculty, and staff.
“I hope it continues to grow and continues to become an annual event, and that we get more involvement,” Goodrich said. “I would love to see competitions between Greek Life or between other organizations, including faculty departments.”
Following the pandemic, a lot of attention turned towards mental health and people in crisis, as people were experiencing isolation, loneliness, and depression on higher levels. Winkler shared how this moment in our recent history impacted her, and her decision to organize this walk.
“The global pandemic increased our awareness of how isolated we can be, and so it was a way to visibly say, ‘You’re not alone in this,’” Winkler said. “That’s why I walk.”
CAPS will also be in attendance at the Out of Darkness Walk, and is there to share its resources with the students. According to Winkler, “One in three students have checked themselves in because of suicidal thoughts and plans. I want to connect the people who need the resources with those resources.”
It’s important to be open and honest about your mental health concerns, because “you’re not alone.” There are people who understand and stand with you, “rain or shine, solidarity,” and will be there for you to listen. If you’d like to register or donate, here’s the link.
“Mental health makes you feel alone, it makes you feel ashamed, it makes you feel like you’re stuck in that dark place, that’s why it’s the Out of Darkness Walk,” Winkler said. “You’re seen, you’re heard, you’re loved.”