Video: Backpacks Carry a Strong Message at Mississippi State University

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY, Miss. (WCBI) –Usually, college students use their backpacks to carry books. But these backpacks are carrying a message.

Over 200 bookbags on the campus of Mississippi State are raising awareness of the toll of suicide among college students, while also letting them know that there is help available.

” We have a backpack display on the Drill Field representing the number of college students who die each year from suicide, and that number is a thousand one hundred. We only have roughly a quarter of that number. But it’s a very powerful visual to raise awareness that suicide is happening, particularly among our college students.”

For more information on Suicide Prevention resources:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Mississippi State University Student Counseling Services: 662-325-2091 www.health.msstate.edu/scs

Crisis Text Line: Text 741-741 about any type of crisis

Mississippi State’s Suicide Awareness Week culminates with an observation of World Suicide Prevention Day 8:30 P.M. Saturday September 10^th at The Junction