Content Disclaimer: The text below contains a mention of suicide.
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Dogs and moms came to UNC this week in an effort to improve the mental health of students and the community following reports of suicide and attempted suicide over the weekend. -end, according to the UNC Police Crime Register. In a campus email Sunday, the University admitted two student deaths in the past month.
Community members and students came together to support each other on campus.
Volunteers and dogs from Eyes Ears Nose and Paws, a local nonprofit dedicated to partnering with dogs to improve lives, visited the quad on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
An EENP Facebook post about the event urged students to stop “if you need cuddles, companionship or a puppy kiss”.
“It’s such a great event because one of the hardest parts of college is missing my dogs at home,” said freshman Katie Pelikan.
“We hoped it would help those who feel so sad,” said Wendy Weber, trainer and EENP volunteer.
On Thursday, the UNC-CH Parents Helping Parents Facebook group organized a gathering of parents behind the Old Well. UNC Moms came together to give students free candy, pastries and hugs.
Corinna Collins, Kayden Hunt and Anna Connors contributed reporting.
The Chapel Hill community came together in a number of ways this week to support campus mental health, including the Dogs of Eyes Ears Nose and Paws and a parents’ rally hosted by a Facebook group.
Mental health resources
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, is available 24/7. It’s free and confidential.
UNC students who need help during this time can contact Psychological counseling and services, the Office of the Dean of Students Where Student well-being. CAPS can be contacted 24/7 by phone at 919-966-3658. University employees can contact the Employee Assistance Program.
Peer helpers from the student organization Peer2Peer, which provides mental health resources to graduate and undergraduate students, can be reached through their online form. Students can remain anonymous.
The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board has compiled a list of mental health resources for the Chapel Hill community, which you can find here.
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