Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day — a day to raise awareness to others that suicide can be prevented. Eastern Michigan University's Disability Resource Center is holding an event called the Together Walk this Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, for the purpose of this day.
An Instagram post by Campus Life promoting the Together Walk said, "Join us Eagles, For a Together Walk in support of suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Come walk a few laps around the pond, connect with your community, and explore resource booths offering support, information, and hope. Every step is a reminder that no one has to walk alone."
Liz Shawl, the interim director of the DRC, said that last year there were several students within the first couple of weeks of school that came to the DRC office with concerns about suicidal ideation.
"I realized that we, as a community, weren't doing anything to support that until later in the semester," Shawl said. There was a mental health awareness event scheduled for October that year, which Shawl had been looking forward to. However, with all the students coming to the office at the very start of the semester needing support, she knew something needed to happen sooner. Students needed to be aware of the supports and resources at the start of the school year rather than later on, Shawl said.
Shawl shared that the highest instances of suicide are in September, when school comes back and students face pressure related to their education.
"Suicide prevention isn't just a day, it is not a month — it is an everyday thing. But I really felt strongly that we needed to bring attention to it at the beginning of the school year because so many students face so many challenges and transitions during those first couple of weeks. We, as a campus community, want to ensure that they understand that we're here and that there are resources and supports available," Shawl said.
To encourage students access resources and to raise awareness, Shawl came up with the Together Walk.
"We are calling it a walk because there isn't a better word," Shawl told The Echo. "I don't want anybody to be deterred from participating if that's a barrier to them. We will have other activities and events available to students for their participation — not just the walk component of it."
Students can walk around the University Park pond if they choose. If students walk around the pond six times, a mile in total, they will receive a t-shirt that they can decorate. The EMU Foundation is partnering with donors to make a donation to a suicide prevention organization depending on how many students complete the six laps, Shawl said.
"If there is a disability related barrier to them completing those six laps, then we will have other ways to participate to get a t-shirt. We don't want anyone to feel like they can't participate because of access," Shawl added.
In addition to the walk, there will be community partners, university resources, crafts, meditation practices and other activities. CAPS, Community Mental Health and Nami are some of the groups that will be attending.
"We are going to have a playlist that everybody can contribute to that we're calling the hopeful playlist," Shawl said. "Everybody will be able to contribute their music to the playlist that will be played during the event. We want students to share their songs of hope and reassurance."
Students who would like to participate in the Together Walk can go to University Park, Thursday, Sept. 10, from 3-6 p.m. For further information or for those who have questions, they contact Shawl by eshawl@emich.edu.
EMU University Park pond with activities and stations surrounding for the Together Walk. Courtesy of Courtney Melvin.
