Prized Connections
By Gail Rappa
Disclaimer: This story mentions suicide. Suicide is preventable. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 988. Nevadans can reach services by calling, texting, or chatting online.
I recently hosted a table at a health fair, sharing information about new mental health resources at Great Basin College (GBC). This event welcomes a few thousand folks eager for information and swag from health-related businesses and providers. I had a tabletop prize wheel courtesy of GBC Student Government Association. I knew that if I captured the attention of the kids, their adult companions would follow and listen to my message. I was ready with stickers, temporary tattoos, buttons, and candy.
Twin girls, aged 9 or 10, approached the table followed by a flannel and denim-clad, mid-60s, bearded man. My daughter encouraged the first twin to spin the wheel while I chatted with the man. He looked at me and then began to study the table items. I told him about the new resources at GBC that offer students free telehealth and that, with funding from community partner, Elko Federal Credit Union, students could self-enroll and have their first session with a licensed mental health counselor within 24-48 hours. He silently continued to study the items.
Photo courtesy of Gail Rappa.
“What’s this mean?” He picked up a white button with purple text stating NEVER GIVE UP imposed over a turquoise semicolon. I knew he didn't mean the words. I had never had to explain what the semicolon symbolized before; most of the students I encountered knew, some even had the tattoo. I said something about removing stigma and the encouragement to keep going through challenging times. I wished I had thought to print the statement Project Semicolon website: “A semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence but chose not to. The author is you, and the sentence is your life.”
“Wish our son had had something like this. Things got bad when he went away to college . . . thought he had outgrown it . . . we just didn't realize. The girls are his, they live with us now. Can I have one of these?” he said as he rotated the button in his fingers.
I felt that familiar helplessness—when words are an inadequate response to losing a loved one to suicide. I almost said, “Take them all. Take everything!” I took a breath, “Yes of course! I’m so sorry for your loss.”
He fumbled with the tiny clasp on the pin. This was something I could do: I came around the table and quickly fastened the button onto his collar. Just then a woman about his age approached the twins.
“What are you girls up to? Did you say thank you?” She turned to the man, saw the pin on his shirt, looked at me, then the table, then back to him. “I never thought I’d see you wear one of those.” She touched his arm and turned away, following the twins to the next table.
I smiled at the nameless man, and I wondered if for him the pin was a reminder for himself or others. I expect it was a bit of both.
Learn more about suicide prevention by visiting:
National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI actively participates in this national movement, dedicated to eradicating stigma, extending support, fostering public education, and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness’.
Gail Rappa is the new Director of Continuing Education and Community Service at Great Basin College. Rappa most recently held the position as Humanities Center Coordinator at Great Basin College in Elko, Nevada.
Double Down blogger photo courtesy of Gail Rappa.