ͬɫ

News

Walk raises suicide prevention awareness

4.19.2022

Members of Alpha Phi Omega were led by Olivia Frichtl ’22 on Monday during a walk to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

By Ben Singson

This article appeared in the on April 19, 2022.

Olivia Frichtl ’22 - ͬɫ
Olivia Frichtl ’22

An ͬɫ service fraternity is working to promote suicide prevention.

Members of Alpha Phi Omega gathered Monday morning for a walk around the college's upper square to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

The walk was organized by ͬɫ senior Olivia Frichtl, who said she wanted to hold the walk after losing her sister to suicide in 2019.

“For a long time, mental health wasn’t something that we talked about,” she said. “And, even with my sister’s passing, it was still kind of something where people didn’t know what to say or how to react. So, by bringing more awareness to it, we can have prevention.”

Staff from the school’s Chelsey Health and Wellness Center also attended the walk, reminding participants that free counseling services are available to any IC student who needs them.

Suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States and the 11th in ͬɫ, according to the . Between 2018 and 2020, the in ͬɫ went down by 7%, though it climbed among certain demographics, including African Americans and 18- to 24-year-olds. The ͬɫ General Assembly has drafted that, if signed, would require schools to provide students with information on where in the state they can find mental health resources.

Frichtl said she wants anyone who is struggling with their mental health to know that they are not alone.

“I think a lot of times people feel like they’re alone in it,” she said. “And I think the biggest message is that you’re not alone. There’s lots of people that want to help you and will help you.”

ͬɫ ͬɫ

Founded in 1829, ͬɫ is a residential liberal arts college fostering academic excellence rooted in opportunities for experiential learning while preparing students for lifelong success. The college is located in Jacksonville, ͬɫ. With an enrollment of more than 1,000 students, the college offers over 50 undergraduate programs. In 1932, the society of Phi Beta Kappa established a chapter at ͬɫ, and it remains one of only 11 in the state.

ͬɫ is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

Visit www.ic.edu for more information.

Media Contact Information
Emily Titsworth '19, Writer
Office of Marketing and Communication
217.245.3219 | emily.titsworth@ic.edu