From Sept. 8 to 12, ULM’s Psi Chi set up a booth in the Quad that offered more than just free resources and crafts–it provided a listening ear and a message of hope to students and faculty.
As the International Honor Society in Psychology, Psi Chi’s mission is to recognize and promote excellence in the science and application of psychology. This event put that mission into action through direct community engagement by creating a framework for members to contribute to suicide prevention.
The booth hosted interactive activities such as writing self-love letters that focused on mental health awareness and self-care. At the end of each day, attendees left with mementos like stickers and stress balls, but Psi Chi president Kaitlyn Morris carried away something intangible yet powerful: a heart full of pride.
“The most rewarding part was seeing students take a moment out of their day to engage with us and prioritize their mental health,” Morris said. “It reminded me that small, intentional actions can spark important conversations and make a positive impact.”
To further support the cause, students could donate $1 to add a painted handprint to a “Hands for Hope” banner or $10 to enter a raffle for prize baskets. The baskets include prizes from Twin City Tattoo and Edges Barbershop. They further collaborated with Psi Chi to sell $20 custom “Psyched to Get Inked” shirts. Proceeds from both booths were donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention—Louisiana (AFSP).
To end ULM’s Suicide Prevention Week, Psi Chi hosted a flash tattoo event at Twin City Tattoo on Sept.13. The event offered $40 to $60 semi-colon tattoos and a $10 discount on piercings. While just a tattoo to some, to others such as sophomore english major Rachel McPherson, the semi-colon represents something more.
“Everyone was very friendly. One of the staff was super nice and helped calm me down during the tattoo,” McPherson said. “The tattoo is a very personal reminder for me.”
Despite the week coming to an end, Psi Chi remains dedicated to raising awareness for suicide prevention and mental health. The group will continue to promote available resources while working to reduce the stigma surrounding them.
“By highlighting the value of proactive support, I hope this week encourages our campus to view mental health as essential as physical health,” Psychology professor and Psi Chi Director Dr. Seth Tackett said. “Ultimately, the goal is to foster a culture where seeking help is normalized and lives are improved through early support and prevention.”
Do you feel inspired to support mental health awareness? There are many ways to get involved: you can volunteer your time, donate to organizations like AFSP or join campus groups like Psi Chi to help promote mental wellness. Remember, even the simple act of taking care of your own mental health is a powerful contribution. However, we know that doing so is often easier said than done.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7. Call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also reach out to ULM’s Self-Development, Counseling, and Special Accommodations Center for free counseling by calling (318) 342-5220 to schedule an appointment.
