According to the National Mental Health Association, suicide was the eighth leading cause of death for all Americans, the third leading cause of death for those aged 15-24, and the second leading killer in the college population in 1998. In 2001, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that every 18 minutes someone in the USA dies by suicide and once every minute, someone in the USA attempts suicide.
As a way of preparing individuals to better understand and provide meaningful leadership around mental health issues and suicide, the Oregon State University Division of Student Affairs will host The Rita Project for two presentations and a hands-on, personal exploration experience. As a non-profit organization, The Rita Project provides suicide prevention education to raise public awareness about the importance of the arts to mental health and is devoted to helping survivors of suicide connect with the power of creation and foster transformation through healing.
