UMKC students want to have an open conversation on mental health for Suicide Prevention Month

   UMKC students are advocating for mental health awareness and support, as September is nationally recognized as Suicide Prevention Month.

   Suicide is currently the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2023, it caused one death every 11 minutes. Suicide rates have reached an all-time high in recorded history, with men making up 80% of them and Indigenous peoples being 23.8%. 

 “It’s so stigmatized and for the longest time nobody ever wanted to talk about it, so it’s good that there is something that brings awareness to it. So many people struggle and they’re too scared to talk about it,” said Briana Stoddard, freshman business administration major with an emphasis in entrepreneurship.

   UMKC offers resources for students struggling with their mental health through Roo Wellness, including counseling services, crisis lines and prevention training. 

   Individual counseling sessions have the first eight sessions free and after $15 per session. Up to 12 sessions are available per academic year to students, however group sessions are free and unlimited. 

   “It is kind of understaffed, so I think we need to have a larger Roo Wellness facility. We need to have more opportunity, not only for students to get help, but for students to have professional experience in the mental health field,” said Charlie Meyer, a studio arts major. 

   Meyer, who is a UMKC ambassador and sees a psychiatrist on campus, said students who are going to Roo Wellness for counseling may be able to get a waiver for additional sessions in an academic year. 

   Students overall felt the resources offered were beneficial, however wanted more awareness brought towards them. 

   “Maybe have more events that can bring people in to realize how it’s helpful,” said Erin Ratterman, a psychology junior. 

   On the national scale, access to mental health resources have become a concern with the Trump administration shutting down the LGBTQIA+ suicide prevention lifeline option in July of 2025.

   Suicide rates among queer youth are significantly higher compared to their peers with 1 in 10 LGBTQIA+ youth attempting suicide in 2024.

   A large part of prevention is the availability of resources and normalizing talking about mental health.

   “With trans, nonbinary and gender queer youth being twice as likely to commit suicide or just have mental health issues, it’s very disheartening,” said Meyer, who also serves as the Trans+ communications coordinator.

   For those struggling, utilizing resources or talking about mental health in general can feel impossible. 

   “It’s really difficult to come forward,” said Olivia Walker, junior physics major. “It’s important to reach out to the people around you. People struggle with underestimating how much the people around them are willing to help or support.”

   Students felt the best way to help was by actively listening and supporting those around them,by not judging anyone who is struggling and instead leading them to resources that could help.

   If you or someone you know is suffering a mental health crisis, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988. 

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