Wellbeing Council Observes National Suicide Prevention Week

During the week of September 9, the Marlborough community joined the nation in observing National Suicide Prevention Week (NSPW), a crucial time dedicated to promoting suicide prevention and commemorating lives lost. Spearheaded by the Wellbeing Council, a series of events and initiatives took place to emphasize the importance of mental wellbeing and foster a supportive environment for students.

With an acute understanding of the role mental health issues can play in suicidal ideation and action, the Wellbeing Council used NSPW as an opportunity to highlight the importance of caring for one’s mental wellbeing. The Council emphasized the significance of being able to have open conversations about mental health. “The more conversations we have, the more we can work to destigmatize this important topic and the less alone so many people will feel,” wrote All-School Wellbeing Representative Libby D. ’25 in an email to the community.

Throughout the week, students engaged in a variety of discussions, activities, and opportunities for self-care:
—Affirmations Across Campus: In what has become a beloved annual tradition, students had the opportunity to write affirmations on colorful sticky notes and use them to create a giant heart on the window of the Shari and Edward Glazer Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Post-its with positive statements also popped up on bathroom mirrors, lockers, and classroom doors. 
—Friendship Bracelets on National Suicide Preventation Day (NSPD): To honor NSPD, Wellbeing Council organized self-care activities during lunch. Students wrote personal affirmations, picked up mindfulness exercises, and crafted friendship bracelets for others. 
—Mental Health Advisory Lesson: Wellbeing Council prepared a special Advisory lesson focused on crucial aspects of maintaining healthy mental wellbeing. 

“We recognize that this week can lead to a range of emotions, which is completely normal,” said Class of 2025 Wellbeing Representative Dinah Y. ’25 in a video for the Advisory lesson. She and Libby emphasized the resources available to students throughout the Marlborough community and beyond. They also reminded the community that NSPW is just one of the many ways to keep mental health at the forefront, ensuring that it remains top of mind, even beyond NSPW.