Cops Charity Cycle Ride 7/8/13

Valparaiso Triathlon 7/10/13

Porter Beach Environmental Assessment 7/11/13

Tourism Board/Baseball Tournament 7/15/13

X-Rock Song Break #1 7/1/13

X-Rock Song Break #2 7/1/13

X-Rock Song Break #3 7/1/13

X-Rock Song Break Medley 7/12/13

9.13.2013

Saturday marks the end of Suicide Prevention Week nationwide. That doesn’t mean business is slowing in the slightest for Ball State’s Alive Campaign. 

“We are a newer organization on campus.” Carmen Diaz, Executive Director for the Alive Campaign, said. “People haven’t been aware of it, so the work that we are doing is so important.” 

The Alive Campaign is a student-ran group at Ball State whose mission is to raise awareness towards preventing suicide. The group prefers to be called a “Life Appreciation Group” and believes that something as simple as a reason to live can make a big difference. 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that someone in the U.S. died by suicide every 13.7 minutes in 2010. According to the Center for Disease Control, suicides outranked car accidents in that year as well. Suicide is also the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24 years old. 

“We try to tell people it’s OK to not be OK some times.” Diaz said. “But you don’t have to be alone and it is only temporary and it’s going to get better.” 

Origins of the Alive Campaign trace back to Waco, Texas. Five friends began a grueling 4,000-mile bike ride from Waco to Anchorage Alaska in 2008. The trip was a way to show the many reasons for living to a friend that had attempted suicide. The trip would also raise awareness on the subject for anyone they met along the way. 

Ball State’s Chapter of the Alive Campaign was the second group of its kind when it formed in August 2008. Now it is the only remaining Alive Campaign collection in the country. Even the original group of guys doesn’t function as part of the Alive Campaign anymore. 

The student group is not alone, though. The Alive Campaign also works with the East Central Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition to provide services for citizens in the communities surrounding the university as well. The two groups together put on a number of different events all this week in hopes of raising awareness. 

“People can be saved and lives can be changed for the better.” Chris Drapeau, Co-Founder of the East Central Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition, said. “Having organizations like the Alive Campaign increases the probability that these outcomes can and will occur.”

National Suicide Prevention Week events included: a proclamation from Mayor Dennis Tyler, a candlelight vigil on campus and training sessions held by members of the Alive Campaign and East Central Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition. All throughout this week, blue ribbons were worn to build understanding too. 


“It’s more than just a color or showing that you care about it.” Brandon Puszkiewcz, Alive Campaign Public Relations Director, said. “I see it as a symbol of hope and a way to connect with people on the issue.”

From here the Alive Campaign will join thousands of survivors and advocates from all over Indiana for the Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday. The 5k walk will take place at White River State Park at 2:30 p.m. 

The Alive Campaign raised $350 for the walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The group’s original goal was $250.

“After being a part of everything that has gone on this week, I can say this is the most fulfilled I’ve felt and the most satisfied I’ve been with the work that we’re doing.” Diaz said. 

The Alive Campaign meets every Wednesday at 9 p.m. in the Student Center Pineshelf Room on the second floor. All are welcome and encouraged to visit. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Ball State's Alive Campaign

The fine folks over at RadioNow 100.9-FM in downtown Indy were so gracious to let me invade their airwaves. Here are a few samples of what I recorded, sans music, but you get the idea. 

MyRadioNow 100.9 Song Breaks

Jake E. Johnson