In coordination with National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the public is invited to a free screening of a powerful documentary titled “Can’t Look Away”, which focuses on online dangers for children and teenagers.
Doug Vance, Executive Director of the Brazos Valley Coalition on Suicide Prevention, says cyberbullying is just the tip of the iceberg.
“There is catfishing, there is online sexual exploitation, there are dangerous online challenges that kids are buying into and doing dangerous things as a result,” says Vance.
Vance also shared some statistics about Texas teenagers.
“Ten percent of Texas high school students, on a survey, reported they made at least once suicide attempt within the past 12 months of the survey. That’s not thinking about it, that’s not feeling bad or upset. That’s actually cutting yourself, taking pills, swerving your car off the road,” says Vance.
Vance says the documentary is not meant to scare parents, but to educate them about online dangers and how to talk to their children about them.
“This film will show that the algorithms that a lot of these social media platforms use are specifically designed to provide ‘shock’ to get the viewer to continue watch and look at more and more and more, which can obviously cause harm,” says Vance.
Vance says the documentary will be followed by an expert panel discussion where panelists will not only discuss what is on the internet, but how to talk to your children about it.
“If we can address the behaviors that lead to suicide and the feelings and the hopelessness, that will also put a dent in substance abuse and other self harming behaviors that are dangerous,” says Vance.
The event is on Thursday, September 18th at the Bush Library. CLICK HERE to register.
Listen to “September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month” on Spreaker.
Additional events were promoted after a proclamation for National Suicide Awareness Month by Brazos County commissioners was accepted by Texas A&M university health services program manager Monica Colson.
Click below to hear comments from Monica Colson during the August 26, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.
News release from Texas A&M:
As a new school year begins, Texas A&M University Health Services is facilitating a series of events crafted to maximize student well-being in its ninth annual observance of Suicide Awareness Month. Throughout September, students, faculty and staff can participate in events that designed to raise awareness, reduce stigma and offer support.
New to this year’s lineup, speaker and comedian Joshua Rivedal will explore “Turning Impossible into ‘I’m Possible’” as he shares his journey through loss, mental health struggles and resilience—with some laughs along the way—at Rudder Theater on Sept. 24 from 6-7:30 p.m. Part comedy set, part life-saving education, this event offers hope, resources and real talk for Aggies who want to take care of themselves and each other.
Annually, an estimated 1,100 college students die by suicide, and nearly 24,000 attempt, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). An overwhelming majority of those who die by suicide have an underlying and potentially treatable mental health condition.
Talking about suicide won’t “put the idea in someone’s head.” The AFSP has found that talking more openly about suicide helps reduce the stigma around mental health conversations.
Throughout September, Suicide Awareness Month events will maximize student access both educational and support resources through organizations across campus and in the local Bryan-College Station and McAllen communities.
Students can start the month by joining the Virtual Walk Challenge, an initiative organized by University Health Services, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Living Well at Texas A&M that aims to build community while raising awareness for suicide prevention. From Sept. 3-31, participants can build teams and compete while raising awareness for suicide prevention.
A full list of events and activities can be found at tx.ag/UHSsam, including the following featured events:
Wellness
• De-Stress with Farm Friends: Sept. 4; 10 a.m.-1 p.m; Simpson Drill Field
• 1100 Pinwheels” Display: Sept. 12-19; all day; Academic Plaza
• Breathe In, Stretch Out Yoga: Sept. 25; 5:30-6:30 p.m.; J. Wayne Stark Galleries
Community
• Resource Fair: Sept. 10; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Rudder Plaza
• Turning Impossible to “I’m Possible” with Joshua Rivedal: Sept. 24; 6-7:30 p.m.; Rudder Theatre
Presentations
• Talk Saves Lives Presentation – Virtual (Registration required): Sept. 17; 11 a.m.-noon & Sept. 23; 4-5 p.m.
• “Creating Safer Communities” Presentation (Registration required): Sept. 18; 4-5:30 p.m.; Memorial Student Center Rm. 1400
Creative
• Planting Self-Care: Sept. 11; 2-3 p.m, Student Services Building (SSB) Rm. 108
• Meditation & Doodling (Registration required): Sept. 17 & 24; 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; SSB Rm. 208
You can help strengthen suicide prevention efforts to create a safe and welcoming space for all Aggies. If you are or someone you know needs help, University Health Services provides non-emergency, same day assistance for immediate emotional support needs. For support and resources outside of business hours, students can access the TELUS Health Student Support app 24/7 for immediate mental health assistance and resources. Call 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.