NATIONAL ACTION

ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

Dear Mason Students,

In 2013, suicide was the second leading cause of death among persons aged 15 to 24 years. Since
then, over 40,000 people have lost their lives to suicide. The prevalence of suicidal thoughts,
suicide planning, and suicide attempts is significantly higher among young adults, typically in
college years.

In the past week alone, the media has reported on three suicides resulting from gun violence in
schools, namely, Parkland and Sandy Hook Elementary. Suicide does not target a specific race,
gender, or person. Anyone is susceptible. It is crucial to be able to identify the target risk factors.

During their college years, students are more prone to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and
depression, putting them further at risk for suicide. George Mason University is partnering with
the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention to create the NAASP-Mason. The goal is to
make students more aware of the resources at GMU, including on campus counselors. The
NAASP-Mason is also participating in the national #Bethe1to campaign.

The #Bethe1to campaign is centered around spreading the word about suicide prevention and
how everyone can take action and impact lives. The campaign is to acknowledge those around
the community for how they have made a change and been a support system. There are also
graphics, flyers, postcards, and more that are available for download to promote the campaign.

We are calling on you, Mason students, to be the one. Now is the time to take action on your own
campus and let your peers know that they are not alone. You can contribute one dollar to the
NAASP-Mason crowd-change funding page in support of the #Bethe1to campaign and post a
story on your social media sharing your stories and spreading awareness of our own campus
resources.

NAASP-Mason is hosting a week-long event in May in support of the campaign where we hope
to raise $15,000 to donate to local crisis centers. The students who contribute the most time and
efforts to this cause through in-person efforts and social media will be entered in to a grand prize
drawing of an all-expense paid vacation to Key West, Florida.

You are not alone in this fight. Together we can be the one to make a change. Together we can
prevent suicide.

Alexandra Tubell
George Mason University
Director of GMU NAASP