Blue Devils Raise Awareness for Suicide Prevention Month

The Huntington varsity field hockey team knows how important sound mental health is regardless of age, gender or socio-economic standing. So the players came together to raise public awareness of an ongoing public health crisis involving suicide.

“Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background,” according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.”

September is Suicide Prevention Month. “It’s a time to raise awareness of this urgently important crisis,” according to NAMI. We use this month to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information to people affected by suicide.”

The issue is so important to the Blue Devils that they dedicated an entire game to raising awareness of the crisis and to spreading the word that help is available. Wednesday afternoon’s game against visiting Lindenhurst was devoted to the “memory of all those we have lost to this sad problem.” Spectators were encouraged to wear purple in solidarity with those on the front lines of the fight.

“Last Friday, our Huntington field hockey team was faced with playing a challenging game against a second place ranked team,” senior Alexandra Centrone told the Blue Devil Stadium crowd. “Despite this we were able to fight and play through with confidence because of two simple words spoken to us by Coach [Kathy] Wright: ‘Stay positive.’ After these two words were spoken the energy on the field completely changed that day from any game we had before. In that moment I remembered the power of positivity. Right now, I encourage you to look at the person next to you and smile. I encourage you to continue your life smiling at everyone you see because you never know what someone is going through and maybe one little smile can save their life.”

Every Blue Devil team is encouraged to participate in some type of public service project during their respective season. Athletic department officials

“Starting a conversation can help save a life,” NAMI said. “Studies show that people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks about them in a caring way.

To learn more about how to help support someone you care about through a crisis log onto www.nami.org/suicidepreventionmonth.