A Helping Hand: UOG's fight against suicide

In recent decades, suicide and mental illness have been on the rise within the United States with Guam being no exception. As of 2022, suicide was Guam’s 8th leading cause of death, especially amongst youths. This statistic makes Guam’s suicide rates higher than the national average at 16 deaths for every 100,000 people.

Fortunately, several organizations have taken a stance to combat this rising mental health crisis. One such organization is the Triton Wellness Center led by Venus Itulrade and her interns. The program has several outreach events to raise awareness about mental health topics or workshops to promote health and wellness amongst students. One of their most used services to University of Guam students and staff is the one-on-one counseling sessions with Ms. Venus or her graduate interns.

Venus Ituralde, lead counselor of UOG’s Triton Wellness Center, September 13, 2024, (Triton’s Call/ Jerlann Latag)

When Ms. Venus first arrived at UOG, the sudden passing of Dr. Hattori-Uchima, the dean for the school of health, brought an influx of students to her services. In the following weeks, the wellness center held grief counseling sessions for students and later on for staff to cope with Dr. Hattori’s tragic passing. Since then, Ms. Venus has kept a regular full schedule of students who come and seek counseling.

Wellness Center activities for one-on-one counseling, September 13, 2024, (Triton’s Call/ Jerlann Latag)

“I think it’s great when we see that my docket is full because that means everyone is strong enough to get some help,” said Ms. Venus. The wellness center team advocates for normalizing therapy and breaking the taboo on mental health. This is especially so for men who Ms. Venus mentioned rarely come for counseling in the wellness center, but those that do get a lot out of it.

Student painting thanking Ms. Venus for supporting them through counseling, September 13, 2024, (Triton’s Call/ Jerlann Latag)

“It takes so much strength and courage for people to, you know, come into these doors and share with us or [Ms. Venus],” said Amara Sulla, one of Ms. Venus’s undergraduate interns. “As opposed to us judging, it’s more we’re commending you for actually seeking help and wanting to be an improved version of yourself.”

Amara Sulla and Maria Hunt, undergraduate interns working for the Triton Wellness Center, September 13, 2024, (Triton’s Call/ Jerlann Latag)

Working in the wellness center and being a student, Sulla agrees that more of her peers should visit for counseling even for a single session. As part of her role, she helps the wellness center with outreach programs and presentations, letting her fellow students know how to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing.

Ms. Venus said, “That’s what it is. You just want to know that when you need to reach out, that someone is there.” Ms. Venus believes that suicidality and depression is a risk amongst UOG students with many of her counseling sessions involving students suffering from depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Despite her schedule often being full, her graduate interns, Kateri DuBose and T’Anah Terlaje, also help in counseling. Together, the Triton Wellness Center seeks to help UOG students by providing a helping hand and listening ear.

Kateri Dubose and T’Anah Terlaje, graduate interns working for the Triton Wellness Center, September 13, 2024, (Triton’s Call/ Jerlann Latag)

The wellness center is not alone in this endeavor. I’Pinengon, another organization in UOG, specifically helps students struggling with suicidality. On September 19, I’Pinengon with the help of other organizations hosted its 2024 Suicide Prevention Forum open to all UOG students and was livestreamed through Instagram.

Students signing into I’Pinengon’s 2024 Suicide Prevention forum at UOG’s lecture hall, September 19, 2024 (Triton’s Call/ Jerlann Latag)

Phone livestreaming I’Pinengon’s forum at UOG’s lecture hall, September 19, 2024, (Triton’s Call/ Jerlann Latag)

These prevention forums have been held since at least 2021, a time where suicide rates increased due to the COVID-19 quarantine. Titled “Empathy and Compassion for Suicide Prevention”, the 2024 forum sought to change public perception on suicidality. The two-hour forum had several guest speakers and showcased videos meant for those who know of people struggling with suicide—the aim being to treat those struggling with open arms and to become a caring support system for them.

Students attending I’Pinengon’s forum at UOG’s lecture hall, September 19, 2024, (Triton’s Call/ Jerlann Latag)

Justin Lee, Marshaley Baquiano, Arvin Boller, Michelle Sasamoto, and Via De Fant hosting I’Pinengon’s ending panel at UOG’s lecture hall, September 19, 2024, (Triton’s Call/ Jerlann Latag)

Despite the rise in suicide rates, it’s comforting to know UOG has given their students the resources to maintain their mental health.