Walking through the Memorial Union Quad Wednesday, it would have been hard to miss Oregon State University’s most recent tribute to a global issue, with 1,100 daisies placed on the grass in front of the MU, representing the lives lost to suicides on college campuses this year.
“The Daisy Project was started in 2007 by a student at Oregon State who had lost a close friend to suicide,” said Amy Wilson, public relations officer of the Active Minds Oregon State Chapter. “She wanted to raise awareness about suicide and make it known how to prevent suicide on college campuses.”
Lying on the grass just before the doors to the MU, were the 1,100 daisies respectively placed to represent the lives that were taken. Along with the flowers were small cards that gave passerby’s shocking, yet very true, information about suicide.
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students,” read one of the cards. “Suicides outnumber homicides in the United States by almost 2:1,” read another.
As students walked through the quad, their attention was initially drawn to the immaculate display of flowers. But it was the information on the cards that kept their attention.
“The goal of the project is to raise awareness for suicide prevention and connect people to the counseling center and other resources available to them on campus and in the community,” Wilson said. “The project also provides materials that help inform people of the signs of a struggle, whether it be a friend or themselves.”
Alongside the flowers was an information booth that openly welcomed anyone walking through the quad to stop by or ask questions. Informational pamphlets, brochures, emergency contact numbers and facts about the Active Minds program were all available here.
“We want students to realize that there are resources on campus that can help them get through their struggles and that they aren’t alone,” Wilson said. “Everyone is affected by mental health; it is more than just depression or anxiety, mental health pertains to stress and one’s overall happiness.”
The Daisy Project is exclusive to the Oregon State University campus and is one of many projects that the Oregon State Active Minds Chapter organize in order to spark conversation about mental health and raise awareness among students, as well as the public.
Although the daisies were only found in the quad for one day they are meant to maintain a memory, or 1,100 memories at that.
“We strive to raise awareness without creating more negative connotations about suicide,” Wilson said. “The daisies were chosen because they are a peaceful symbol.”