Pinwheel Display in the Quad Brings Awareness to Second-Leading Cause of Death at College: Suicide

Jenny Crutchfield, director of mental health services at MC, hoped the display of pinwheels helped educate MC students about the mental health resources available to them on campus.

Mississippi College faculty, staff, students, and visitors who walked through or drove by the historic Quad Tuesday-Friday, Sept. 3-6, were treated to a breathtaking sight: 1,100 brightly colored pinwheels gently twirling in the early autumn breeze.

The total of plastic-curled whirligigs was intentional – it represented the average number of college students nationally who lose their lives to suicide each year.

Targeted to MC students and the Clinton community, the “Pinwheels for Suicide Prevention” campaign raised awareness of the second-leading cause of death on college campuses in the U.S. and provided information about resources available at MC to help combat the mental health threat.

Jenny Crutchfield, director of mental health services at MC, borrowed the idea from Active Minds, an organization devoted to spreading the message that seeking help for mental health issues is a sign of strength, not shame.

“I wanted to do something impactful that would draw attention and get people talking,” said Crutchfield before the pinwheels were displayed. “Active Minds offers a signature program, ‘Send Silence Packing’ (a national traveling exhibit dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention) to college campuses. This is my alternative.

“When people see these pinwheels, they are going to wonder what the display is all about. September has been designated Suicide Prevention Month – Sept. 10 is Suicide Prevention Day – so we want to bring attention to that number.”

Suicide statistics among college students are harrowing. Each year, about 24,000 attempt suicide, and as many as 12 percent of all college students have thoughts of suicide during their first four years of school. Almost two-thirds of college students report that they either know someone who has attempted suicide or someone who has died of suicide.

Crutchfield said it serves no purpose to sweep those figures under a rug.

“There’s been something of a societal stigma when it comes to people who have been challenged in this way,” she said. “That tide seems to be turning, and events like this bring awareness and lets people know that it’s OK to talk about suicide. It’s important for them to understand that they’re not the only ones who struggle with these thoughts.

“Many people think that if you talk about suicide, you may cause somebody to become suicidal. That’s not true. Talking about suicide opens a door for people to have a conversation and realize they can get help without ending their life.”

Why pinwheels?

“They’re bright and colorful, and seeing them helps make the topic of suicide much less dark,” Crutchfield said. “People enjoy seeing the pinwheels spin. Suicide can be a very heavy subject, and the sheer number of pinwheels makes an impact, but the pinwheels also help lighten the topic and invite conversation.”

She started “Pinwheels for Suicide Prevention” at Hinds Community College, where she served as district LPC of mental health services. The display was so well received – days afterward, students would ask her questions about the display and talk about their personal experiences – that she decided to bring the tradition to Mississippi College.

Through the display, Crutchfield hoped to educate MC students about the mental health resources available to them on campus.

“We will have signs throughout the display explaining what the pinwheels represent,” Crutchfield said. “We want to let those who may be experiencing these thoughts to know that they’re not alone. There are people on campus who are here for them.

“We’re going to provide information about our office and emphasize the suicide hotline and our crisis number. We will also include positive messages embedded in the display to let them know that if they are struggling, we’re here to help.”

She said college students face a variety of challenges each day – many of them unforeseen or unexpected. The “Pinwheels for Suicide Prevention” campaign’s message: no matter what someone may be going through, suicide is never the answer.

“People may not realize how many college students think of suicide,” Crutchfield said. “They know they’re struggling, but they think things will work out fine. They don’t understand what may be going on underneath.

“Sometimes we all get to a point where we feel like everything is too much to carry. The good news is that there are people here at MC who are willing to talk with you and walk alongside of you. Having this display on campus will also allow instructors and other adults to initiate a conversation and connect with students to get them the help they need at this critical time in their lives.”

Just as we are all blessed with varying degrees of physical health, individuals can have a wide range of mental health issues. Crutchfield’s team of counselors in the Office of Mental Health Services at MC are experts in helping students recognize the need to maintain their mental health and identify solutions for their mental health challenges.

“Anybody who sees the display will be impacted by it,” she said. “We will have counselors on site at various times if someone needs to speak with us, or if they’re in a crisis, they can come see us on the fourth floor of Alumni Hall – no appointment needed.”

MC students who would like to speak with a mental health counselor at MC may click here. Individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts are invited to click here for assistance. To learn more about the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, click here.

Helpful resources can also be found at the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. For more information about mental health resources at Mississippi College, click here. All inquiries will remain strictly confidential.