Content warning: This article contains mentions of suicide.
The fifth annual Field of Memories event was held outside Parks Library this past Friday.
This event is hosted by Student Counseling Services (SCS) as part of National Suicide Prevention Month.
Students were able to approach a volunteer or the central tent at the event and request a flag to write an encouraging message or remember someone they had lost to suicide. The event was especially impactful for college students, as over 1000 American college students commit suicide each year, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Jeffrey Nelson, SCS clinical therapist and suicide prevention and awareness coordinator, spoke about the importance of awareness and prevention.
“The purpose is to increase awareness, decrease stigma, and emphasize hope, connection and reaching out for support,” Nelson said. “It’s more than suicide prevention; it’s about supporting those who have been impacted by suicide… It’s also about remembering those we have lost and letting survivors and those impacted, or who are grieving, know they are not alone.”
Each year, the display of flags serves as a physical reminder of the impact suicide and mental health struggles have on the community.
“This event helps quantify the significance of what losing 1,100 college students in the U.S. each year means,” Michelle Roling, SCS assistant director and outreach director, said. “As individuals write messages on the flags, we include the year on the back. Flags from prior years are put out, so a student writing on a flag as a freshman will be able to see their flag in the coming years. The event creates an opportunity to talk about how lives are touched by suicide, who you’ve lost, support those who are challenged and inspire hope.”
The Field of Memories event promoted mental health resources available, including suicide prevention training.
“The event provides an opportunity to sign up for ISU’s free 50-minute training, ‘Question, Persuade, Refer,’ a course that helps people learn how to ask others if they are thinking about suicide, encourage people to get support and learn what resources are available to support others,” Roling said.
One of the volunteers in attendance was Ethan Rosonke. A 2024 ISU alum, he lost a fraternity brother as an undergraduate. Following that, he participated in the Out of the Darkness Walks, a nationally organized community walk for suicide awareness and prevention.
Rosonke shared what he hopes the community takes away from the event.
“You matter,” Rosonke said. “You have a great group here at Iowa State. All the other students are here to support you. That’s what Cyclones do. We also do have professional help that is in [the Student Services Building] on campus that’s available via email, phone line, for you whenever you need it. They are trained professionals. Even if you aren’t at a point where you think you need it, you can still stop in. That’s what they’re there for. They’re always here to kind of be in your corner and support you.”
Officers from the Iowa State University Police Department (ISUPD) volunteered with SCS and supported its efforts at the event.
Natasha Greene, a community outreach officer with ISUPD, shared what ISUPD does to support students’ mental health and their connection with SCS.
“We have a lot of resources to support mental health,” Greene said. “Our mental health advocates, our therapy dogs and then all of our police officers and dispatchers also get training on mental health and crisis response. But this event is really run through student counseling. So they’re the heavy lifters on this. We get to work with them on a lot of initiatives, and they’re kind enough to let us join in this event.”
SCS offers ways for students to get help, such as group and individual counseling, both of which are free to students.
The SCS offices are located on the third floor of the Student Services Building.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text 988, the free 24/7 suicide and crisis lifeline. Student Counseling Services also accepts walk-in crisis assessments.