On the night of Sept. 13, students walked in complete silence for approximately one mile from Odle to the Yost Pavilion. A solemn and reflective tone was maintained as participants prayed and processed their emotions without disturbance.
Signs with quotes, data and prayers relating to suicide were placed approximately every tenth of a mile throughout the walk.
After this silent trek, students gathered at Yost for group worship and prayer. The event ended with students sending lanterns out across the lake in a symbolic act of hope and remembrance.
This journey was the Walk for Life, an event designed to raise awareness about suicide and provide resources for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. The walk was hosted by PAX, a student-led organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health problems and strategies to overcome them.
When discussing sensitive topics, such as mental health and suicide, vulnerability does not often come naturally. PAX created Walk for Life to facilitate these difficult but needed conversations.
“Suicide has never been something I’ve talked about,” Jaxon Hinkle, a sophomore finance major, said. “I think it’s a good time for self-awareness because sometimes you internalize feelings that you don’t even know you’re internalizing. Truly addressing those feelings can bring up a lot of emotions.”
Hinkle joined the PAX cabinet this semester. He became passionate about young adult suicide prevention after losing friends and a cousin because of it.
PAX leaders were encouraged by the number of students who attended Walk for Life. Bridget Daringowski, a junior finance and accounting double major and PAX cabinet member, found hope in the students’ response to such a serious matter.
“Sometimes, as Christians, I feel that we try to stray away from talking about these heavy topics,” Daringowski said. “You can almost feel like a lesser Christian because you’re struggling, but honestly, in your struggles and personal battles is when you become even closer with God.”
Taylor, as a Christian community, should be more open and honest about mental health issues, Derengowski said. She encourages students struggling with their faith amidst such hardship to rely on the community of Taylor and the unfailing promises of the Lord.
Showing students that they are not alone in their personal struggles is the reason PAX and Walk for Life exist, Derengowski said.
“Knowing that there are several people who are also dealing with these very real situations, even if you don’t want to talk to anyone, is super important,” Hinkle said.
PAX leaders intend to continue raising awareness about mental health throughout the year by hosting events similar to Walk for Life.
Claire Yew, a junior public relations major and the president of PAX, is motivated to shed light on the mental issues that humans in a fallen world endure. Yew hopes she can achieve this by drawing more eyes to the organization.
“It can be really scary sometimes to show up to these kinds of events for fear of different perceptions or preconceived notions of other people who don’t necessarily know you,” Yew said. “But know that everyone on our cabinet really just wants to help the student body. We would genuinely love to connect with anyone.”
Not all PAX events are as heavy as the Walk for Life. They also host movie nights, guest speaker panels and a running club.
Yew hopes students will seize the opportunities PAX provides and reach out for help when struggling with mental health issues.
“We need to look at these realities of our broken world, but through a different lens,” Yew said. “We can still worship God even with horrible things like suicide are happening. We can still have joy in the Lord in our suffering.”
