MARIETTA—Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) will host a community candlelight vigil—Hope for the Holidays, on its campus Sunday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.
On the front steps of the college’s main building, surviving family and friends are invited to meet and draw strength from one another by sharing stories and remembering those they’ve tragically lost to suicide, said WSCO Dean of Student Success Kathy Temple-Miller.
“Washington State is proud to host this event and embrace our community members who are mourning the loss of a loved one. We know the holidays are an especially difficult time and we want to remind survivors that they are not alone,” explained Temple Miller.
Those who attend are encouraged to bring a photo of their loved one for the memory table.
Important suicide facts:
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34.
- 10% of adult Americans have thought about suicide.
- 54% of Americans have been affected by suicide in some way.
- There is one suicide death in the US every 11 minutes.
- Suicide rates are 1.5 times higher for Veterans than for non-veteran adults over 18.
- Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
The event is sponsored by WSCO, the Suicide Awareness Alliance of Washington County, and the Washington County Behavioral Health Board.
