By: Briana Polanco | Publish Date: September 30, 2026
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a month dedicated to those we have lost to suicide and those who have attempted, thought to, or lost someone from it. This month stands as a reminder to reach out during difficult times, especially if you have been struggling with your mental health, as well as to check in on others and advocate for mental health awareness.
Kean University provides a variety of resources regarding mental health and wellness. This includes the Kean Wellness Center, located in Downs Hall, Suite 127, at Kean University. The Wellness Center offers various tools from counseling to mental health services. These offices include Student Health Services, which provides appointments for medical concerns such as sickness, allergies, colds, STI Testing, and so on.
Additionally, there is the Kean Counseling Center that uses mental health and wellness intervention for those who are hoping to address their concerns to achieve their goals. From my own experience, Kean University’s Counseling Center has the kindest and most attentive counselors. To those who are hesitant about reaching out and starting their own mental health journeys, the Counseling Center is the best place to start.
Also located at Kean Counseling Center, there is Alcohol and Other Drug Services for those who are experiencing or know anyone experiencing substance issues, as well as the Office of Accessibility Services, helping those with disabilities have equal access to the learning environment Kean University offers.
All registered Kean students and Community Care Coordinator staff members also have access to the Cougar Pantry, which offers essentials and both nonperishable and perishable items for those facing basic care and food insecurity.
The services listed above are included for all Kean University students at no additional cost. This way, all students can find accessible opportunities to better their mental health and their overall well-being while being on campus.
Kean has also been supporting Suicide Prevention Month through events hosted on campus.
Organizations such as the P.U.L.S.E Programming Board held an event on September 21st in honor of Suicide Prevention Month. By gathering students to decorate their own stuffed Cougars, write meaningful messages, or be surrounded by other supporters, they took this time to provide resources to attendees and to recognize signs of suicide or suicidal thoughts.
Suicide Prevention Month is also a month of recognizing and hearing people’s testimonies if they have struggled in the past, and the advice that they can provide to those who are currently struggling to see brighter days ahead.
Kean student Susan Berube-Leiva, class of 2027, shares her own advice about her journey and how she got to where she is today.
“What has helped me the most in my journey has been realizing that the point of life isn’t to be perfect; it’s just to live,” she said. “There’s this common saying, ‘You Only Live Once,’ but I really believe that we live every day.
“In thinking of life in terms of that, that we’re given another chance each day to do and become better, it has helped settle my anxiety and thoughts that I’m not doing enough, or I’m failing,” Berube continued. “Additionally, I also section my days off. Instead of thinking of an entire day as being bad, I think, “Okay, I had a rough morning. Hopefully, I’ll have a better afternoon or night.”
As September runs its course, suicide continues to be a prevalent topic that should carry the same amount of importance all year round. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help at Helplines | Kean University
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