It has been almost two years since a group of West Virginia University students lost a beloved friend to suicide.

The students were so affected by their loss, they decided they wanted to do something to help those going through the same struggle their friend experienced.

Senior Kelli Ellison and her friends approached Dr. Cathy Yura, director of WVU s Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, about forming HELP , or Holding Every Life Precious, to increase studentsawareness of depression and suicideand help break down the stigma associated with asking for psychological help.

At HELP s request, Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice proclaimed Oct. 2-6 Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week.

In observance of the week, HELP is joining forces with WVU s Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services for a bracelet campaign, free depression screenings and other activities to call attention to suicide and other mental health issues.

From 8 a.m.-noon Monday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, members of HELP will have a table across from the Mountainlair, where they will be selling light blue HELP bracelets to benefit depression education and outreach.

There will also be free cups of Starbucks coffee on Monday and free pizza on Thursday, said Ellison, who thanked DubVmenus for securing the donations.

Throughout the week, students, faculty and staff are invited to stop by the HELP booth from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. inside theLair to pick up information and ask questions about mental health issues.

In addition, free, confidential depression screenings will be available to WVU students from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Carruth Center on the third floor of the Student Services Center.

Yura, HELP adviser, said this is the organizations first major campaign.

HELP is working to erase the stigma that prevents individuals from receiving the psychological help they need,she said.With over 1,100 college students in the United States committing suicide last year, this student organization has joined with the community to educate the public about the signs and symptoms of depression and work together to prevent suicide.

Ellison said she wants students who are battling depression to know they are not alone.

It is the most normal thing in the world to go through trying times,she said,and we want to make it just as normal to seek help through those times.

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week coincides with National Mental Illness Awareness Week and National Depression Screening Day (Oct. 5).

The Carruth Center provides individual, couples and group counseling for a variety of student concerns, including depression, homesickness, self-esteem issues, body image and relationship difficulties. A walk-in clinic is offered every weekday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. An after-hours phone line (304-293-4431) is available for psychological emergencies.

Counseling services are free for enrolled, fee-paying undergraduates, graduate students and professional students (some fees are charged for testing).

Locally, residents can get help at the Chestnut Ridge Outpatient Hospital, affiliated with the WVU Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, 304-598-4214, and the Valley Community Mental Health Center, 304-296-1731 or 1-800-232-0020 (24-hour crisis response line).

And, for WVU employees, referral assistance is available through the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, 304-293-5590.

The toll-free National Hopeline Network can be reached at 800-784-2433 or National Strategy for Suicide Prevention at 800-273-TALK.