National Awareness Observances

At FDU, we believe it’s important to recognize National Awareness Observances, helping to provide an inclusive and socially conscious campus environment.

Please check your campus calendar for events scheduled for these observances

  • Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Month of September
  • Domestic Violence Awareness Month Month of October
  • World Mental Health Day October 9
  • National Coming Out Day Celebration October 11
  • Transgender Awareness Week November 11–17
  • Transgender Day of Remembrance November 20
  • Human Trafficking Awareness Month Month of January
  • National Girls and Women in Sports Day February 5
  • Nutrition Awareness Month Month of March
  • Zero Discrimination Day – March 1
  • Sleep Awareness Week, March 10-16
  • Neurodiversity Celebration Week – March 18-24
  • Alcohol Awareness Month Month of April
  • Disability Awareness Month Month of April
  • Denim Day – April 24

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-age students, with an estimated 1, 088 occurring on college campuses each year”

Our Mission

Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Transforming College Campus works to prevent suicide. Suicide is preventable. Our Mission is to reduce any stigmas surrounding mental health and encourage students to seek help.

“We are committed to creating a systematic, inclusive, diverse, and coordinated effort where suicide prevention is seen as a shared campus responsibility.”

Have picture of suicide hotline – has link to website

  • Recognizing the warning signs of suicide is key to saving someone’s life.
  • Students should know how to talk about suicide without blame or judgment.

Suicide Statistics

  • Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the US
  • In 2022, men died by suicide 3.85 times more than women.
  • Almost 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, nearly twice the number who die by homicide.
  • For every death by suicide, there are approximately 20 suicide attempts made.
  • In the United States, the suicide rate among males is 4 times higher than among females. Male deaths represent 79% of suicides, amounting to roughly 100 men who die by suicide every day, over 36,000 annually
  • In the year before suicide, only 35% of men, on average, sought care from a mental health practitioner
  • LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers
  • The Trevor Project estimates that more than 8 million LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.
  • Women are more likely to attempt suicide, but men are more likely to die by suicide.
  • Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among student-athletes ages 15 to 24.
  • According to a 2019 study conducted by the American College Health Association, 2 in 3 undergraduates felt overwhelming anxiety in the past 12 months, and 14% seriously considered suicide.

Risk Factors, Warning signs and how to help

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists the following as some of the most common risk factors for suicide:

  • Previous suicide attempt(s)
  • Family history of suicide, violence, and/or mental disorders
  • Alcohol and/or substance misuse
  • Traumatic life event
  • Access to lethal weapons and/or substances
  • Social isolation and/or alienation
  • Medical conditions, such as a chronic ailment or terminal illness
  • Relationship problems, including loss and violence

Warning Signs

Warning signs indicate a need for immediate professional medical intervention.

  • Extreme mood swings and/or personality changes
  • Increased fixation on death, suicide, and/or violence
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Communicating feelings of hopelessness
  • Expressing a desire or plan to die by suicide
  • Loss of interest in people, things, places, and activities
  • Feeling suddenly happier or at peace (may be due to coming to terms with the decision to end their life)

Help

  • Positive conversation starters and words of encouragement
  • “How can I support you right now?”
  • “Have you considered getting help?”
  • “I’m here for you. You’re not alone.”
  • “I care about you and I want to help.”

When helping someone who may be suicidal, do:

  • Be Authentic: Talk openly and honestly with this person. They won’t expect you to use the perfect words but will sense that you’re truly concerned if you simply mean what you say.
  • Listen to Them: The person considering suicide may need to vent their feelings, anger, or frustrations, so take time to sit and listen. Take their willingness to express themselves and unload their feelings as a positive sign.
  • Be Sympathetic, Patient, and Calm: It takes a lot of strength and courage for a suicidal person to share their story. If they’re able to open up to you, they’re relying on you to be accepting and nonjudgmental.
  • Be Direct and Matter-of-Fact: Avoid tiptoeing around the subject of suicide. Listening to the person’s concerns and tackling the subject head on is the best way to prove you’re comfortable talking to them and can be a trusted confidante.
  • Offer Hope When They Need It Most: Your unconditional support and encouragement is crucial at this time. Let them know they can seek professional help, and reassure them that their feelings are temporary and that you value their presence in your life.

Listen, Trust and Care

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should consult with their physician to obtain advice with respect to any medical condition or treatment.

Resources

Statistics

https://headsupguys.org/suicide-in-men/suicide-stats-men/

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/facts-about-lgbtq-youth-suicide/

https://www.stlouischildrens.org/health-resources/pulse/suicide-prevention-young-athletes

Help

https://afsp.org/suicide-prevention-resources/

https://www.njmentalhealthcares.org/

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

History

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” in October 1981 conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The goal of this event was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children, and the range of activities associated with the effort ultimately expanded to include events at the local, state, and national levels.

In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed, and the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline was launched. In 1989, Congress designated October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and every year since, organizations around the country have marked the month with a variety of awareness activities focused on a few common themes: mourning those who have died as a result of domestic violence, acknowledging and celebrating those who have survived, and connecting allies and others motivated to end all forms of relationship violence. (NCDSV, 1996)  Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated on the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Domestic Violence Facts

Domestic violence is also referred to as dating violence, relationship violence, and intimate partner violence. It can include physical, emotional, verbal, and psychological violence, as well as stalking. It is associated with other forms of violence and various serious health consequences and economic impacts.  (CDC, 2020).

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) reveals the following concerning Domestic Violence Statistics and Facts

  • In the U.S. over 10 million adults experience domestic violence every year.
  • 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
  • Intimate partner violence is most common among women who are aged 18 to 24.
  • 1 in 5 women and 1 in 40 men in the U.S. are victims of rape or attempted rape.
  • 1 in 2 female victims and 1 in 13 male victims are murdered by intimate partners.
  • On an average day, domestic violence hotlines across the nation receive over 20,000 calls.
  • Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.
  • The presence of a gun in a domestic situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.
  • Only 34% of people who are injured by intimate partners receive medical care for their injuries.

Children and Domestic Violence

  • According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, each year, 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence. Furthermore, 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.
  • In the U.S, 15.5million children live in families where partner violence happened at least once within the past year.

Domestic Violence in the LGBTQ Community

  • In comparison to 35% of heterosexual women, 43,8% of lesbians and 61.1% of bisexual women have experienced rap, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner.
  • In comparison to 29% of heterosexual men, 26% of gay men and 37.3% of bisexual men have experienced rap, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner.
  • LGBTQ Black/African American victims are more likely to experience physical intimate partner violence.

Teen Dating Violence

  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a 2019 survey revealed that over the past year, 1 in 12 students experienced physical or sexual dating violence.
  • Each year, almost 1.5 million high school students are physically abused by their partners.

Domestic Violence in Later Life

  • In a survey of nearly 6,000 elderly participants, 57% reported the perpetrators of physical abuse were partners or spouses.
  • Elder abuse, including neglect and exploitation, is experienced by around 1 in 10 people aged 60 or older who live at home.
  • Between 2002 and 2016, over 643,000 older adults were injured from non-fatal assaults, and over 19,000 older adults were victims of homicide.

Domestic violence affects millions of people of every race, religion, culture, and status. It’s not just punches and black eyes — it’s yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats, and isolation. It’s stealing a paycheck or a password, tracking someone online, texting non-stop, constantly using the silent treatment, or calling someone stupid so often they believe it. (Break the Cycle, 2014)

Help is available

Each county offers services for domestic violence victims. 
Click here for DCF’s Domestic Violence Services

 

New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV)
Toll Free Statewide Hotline: 1 (800) 572-SAFE (7233)
Phone: 609-584-8107
Web: www.NJCEDV.org
The New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) is a statewide coalition of domestic violence service programs and concerned individuals whose purpose and mission is to end domestic violence in New Jersey. NJCEDV performs its work through advocacy for survivors of domestic violence; collaboration with state agencies and its member programs; education and training; and technical assistance for its members and the community.

New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline
Toll Free: 1 (800) 572-SAFE (7233)
The New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline is available statewide 24-hours a day/seven days a week. It serves domestic violence victims and others seeking domestic violence information. The Hotline is a bilingual service and accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing.

State Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy
Phone: (609) 896-8855
Web: www.njvw.org/index.html
As a crime victim or a witness, you have certain rights in the criminal justice system.  Victim-witness advocacy services help make your participation in the criminal justice system less stressful and more informed.  Services from the Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy are available in county prosecutors’ offices.

New Jersey Address Confidentiality Program
Toll Free: 1 (877) 218-9133
The New Jersey Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) provides eligible domestic violence victims a substitute mailing address that does not reveal their location. This service is important for victims forced to relocate for safety. First class mail is forwarded without charge.

New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Toll-Free Hotline: 1 (800) 601-7200
Phone: (609) 631-4450
Web: www.njcasa.org
The New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJCASA) is the statewide advocacy and capacity building organization that represents the twenty-one county-based rape crisis centers, and the Rutgers University Office of Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance. NJCASA elevates the voice of sexual violence survivors and service providers by advocating for survivor-centered legislation, training allied professionals, and supporting statewide prevention strategies that work to address and defy the socio-cultural norms that permit and promote rape culture.

New Jersey Adult Protective Services Providers
Web: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/home/adultpsp.html
If you know someone 18 years of age or older who is subject to abuse, neglect, or exploitation, contact your county Adult Protective Services (APS) office.  An APS investigation is a thorough assessment of a potential at-risk adult. Within 72 hours of a referral’s receipt, a face-to-face meeting with the adult by a trained APS social worker is required. During this meeting the potential client is interviewed in private. Every effort is made to determine the competence of the adult. Other individuals or agencies that have knowledge of the situation may also be interviewed. When the investigation is complete a report is submitted to the APS Supervisor who will then consult with the social worker and determine if the adult is at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation. All information generated by the investigation is confidential.

https://www.breakthecycle.org/

https://ncadv.org/resources

https://www.thehotline.org/

Learn the facts, take action, and make a difference

Attend the Day of Unity or the Empty Place at the Table, stop by our informational tables, participate in Purple Thursday, educate yourself on the facts, and apply to be a LiveWell Warrior to teach your peers about domestic violence. 

Day of Unity

The Day of Unity, now recognized on the first Monday in October, celebrates the origin of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This is a perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going in the movement to end intimate partner violence.

Purple Thursday

Purple is the recognized awareness color for domestic violence. Purple Thursday aims to raise awareness about intimate partner violence and domestic violence by highlighting support for survivors and efforts to reduce the stigma, advocate for survivors, and work for greater safety and equity for victim survivors.  Everyone is encouraged to wear all things purple as a symbol of peace, courage, survival, honor, and personal dedication to domestic violence awareness.

Empty Place at the Table

The Empty Place at the Table awareness project, in which a place setting is waiting for someone who has been affected by domestic violence.  This display will offer an opportunity to learn about victims’ stories and honor their lives. 

HISTORY and BACKGROUND of the PROJECT

The Exhibit An Empty Place at the Table was born out of a desire to grieve the loss and celebrate the lives of women and children who were killed in acts of domestic violence. The impetus for this exhibit came from the deaths of two women Phyllis Mashio and Cindy Marshalek, and a child. Sheena Marie Jones, occurred within 22 days of one another in 1903.

Some time later a group of Phylls’ friends, as well as other concerned family and friends of victims, WRC staff, and volunteers gathered at the Women’s Resource Center.  Those gathered wanted to explore how to respond to the senseless acts of violence that took the lives of these three.

Peg Raddy, director of the Women’s Resource Center, and Jane Kopias, a volunteer, continued to explore how to memorize these victims. They recalled other women from the area who had been murdered in recent years and considered how to include these women as well.

Jane and Peg were inspired by Jutty Chicago’s artwork, The Dinner Party, which represents women neglected in history, the Quilt Project, which memorializes victims of AIDS, and A Place at the Table, authored by Edith Konecky, which examines mental illness and the systematic oppression related to the illness. The social situation dealt with by these examples parallels the role that social and political systems play in the oppression of women. Whatever form the memorial took, it would point to the need to address systemic support for violence as well as the personal impact of the violence.

Inspired by these concepts and the image of an empty place created by domestic violence homicide. Jane suggested developing an exhibit of a label with personalized place settings for each of the victims. They then decided to call the project An Empty Place at the Table.

An Empty Place at the Table premiered In October 1993 at the Lackawanna County courthouse. Tragically, domestic violence homicides continue to add place settings to the original table. The exhibition has been duplicated by domestic violence centers throughout Pennsylvania, and has been exhibited elsewhere in the United States

The Table image is a symbol and experience that is common to most victims of domestic homicide, no matter their social status, age, race, ethnicity, or other life experiences. Each of the victims had a place at the table in their homes as members of a family. Their murders leave an empty place at that table, and a symbolic empty place in society: Domestic violence homicide tragically changes the family table and the symbolic table in the community and society as a whole. 

An Empty Plate at the Table, 1999 Women Resource Center, Inc. Scranton, Pennsylvania

Additional Awareness

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day was first celebrated in 1992 on October 10 by the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries.  The overall objective is to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world and to support efforts around mental health. 

National Coming Out Day

Celebrated annually on October 11th, this day commemorates the journey of self-discovery and the courage it takes to openly embrace one’s sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression. This observance traces its roots back to 1988, when Jean O’Leary and Dr. Robert Eichberg chose this date to coincide with the first anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. National Coming Out Day now stands as a beacon of support and acknowledgement for those who have bravely shared their authentic selves with the world. It is also a reminder that many individuals within LGBTQIA+ communities face ongoing challenges in the journey towards self-expression.

Coming Out Resources

While every coming out journey is unique, you can still rely on the knowledge of those who have come out before you! Below are resources to assist you in the coming out process:

General

Sexual and Romantic Orientation

Gender Identity

Guides for LGBTQ POC

The Human Rights Campaign offers many guides on coming out, including guides focused on coming out as a person of color:

Coming out to health care providers

Thank you to The Ohio State University for sharing many of these resources. 

 

Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance

Trans Awareness occurs each year between November 13 – 19, taking place before Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20.  Trans Awareness Week’s goal is to increase understanding about transgender people and concerns many members of the community may experience.  Trans Day of Remembrance is an annual observance that honors the lives lost to acts of anti-transgender violence that past year. 

What is Transgender Day of Remembrance?

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was founded in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated the one year anniversary of Hester’s death and all the transgender people lost to violence that year. That initial event began the world-wide observance that is the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. You can participate in TDOR by attending or organizing a vigil on November 20 to honor all those whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence that year. Vigils are typically hosted by local transgender advocates or LGBTQ organizations, and held at community centers, parks, places of worship and other venues. The vigil often involves reading a list of the names of those who have been killed. (GLAAD)

Transgender Economic Insecurities

LGBTQIA+ people have a poverty rate of 21.6% (compared to 15.7% among straight people)

  • Trans folks have a poverty rate of 29.4% (almost double cisgender folks)
  • Transgender folks are more than 2x as likely to be living in poverty than the general U.S. population; this increases to more than 3x as likely among trans people of color
  • 29% of trans people were living in poverty at the time of the USTS, compared to 14% of the general U.S. population
  • 38% of Black trans folks are living in poverty.

Collectively, 42% of Black trans folks have experienced homelessness in their lives (compared to 30% of the population overall)

  • 50% of undocumented transgender people have experienced homelessness in their lifetime

Unemployed or underemployed: 44% of working trans people are under-employed; transgender workers are 4x more likely than the general population to have a household income under $10,000

  • Trans people experience 2x higher rates of unemployment (14%) compared to the general population (7%)
  • 15% of trans people were unemployed, compared to 5% of the general U.S. population
  • 16% of trans people reported losing a job in their lifetime because of gender identity/expression; 27% reported being denied a promotion or being hired for a job due to gender identity/expression
  • 20% of Black transgender folks are unemployed

Factors contributing to economic instability among trans folks:

  • Low-wage jobs with limited hours
  • Barriers to getting better jobs
  • High costs of living
  • Debt
  • Housing instability
  • Food insecurity
  • Transportation barriers
  • Employment discrimination
  • Housing discrimination
  • High rates of childhood poverty

What can I do to become a better ally?

Learn about trans people by educating yourself with credible resources about community, language, issues, stories, and actions.

The GLAAD Media Reference Guide: Focus on Transgender People

References

https://glaad.org/transweek/

https://www.hrc.org/campaigns/transgender-awareness-week-transgender-day-of-remembrance

https://womensway.org/transawarenessweek/

https://storycorps.org/honoring-transgender-awareness-week/

Questioning your Gender?

Gender identity is a person’s inner sense of self as masculine, feminine, both or neither, and how they label themselves, based on how much they align or don’t align with traditional conceptions of gender. See below for resources that may help you as you explore your gender identity.

Coming Out

While every coming out journey is unique, you can still rely on the knowledge of those who have come out before you. Below are resources to assist you in the coming out process.

Transgender Organizations

  • Gender Spectrum – If you are a parent looking for support, a young person looking to connect, a professional interested in learning best-practices, a faith leader seeking resources or anyone who wants the most up-to-date and accurate information about gender and youth, Gender Spectrum can help.
  • National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) – Advocates to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people throughout the country.
  • Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER) – A youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender non-conforming students through advocacy and empowerment.

Additional Resources

For Allies

The following resources are available for allies of the trans community seeking to learn more:

Supporting the Transgender People in Your Life: A Guide to Being a Good Ally