Members of Shepherd University's softball and lacrosse teams stand in silence together, during the Candlelight Vigil for Suicide Prevention on Sept. 17. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The second annual Candlelight Vigil for Suicide Prevention was held in front of the Scarborough Library on Sept. 17, drawing a number of community members and Shepherd University students, faculty and staff.

Shepherd University Director of Counseling Wendy Baracka organized the event, in partnership with Rams Care and Shepherd University Student Services. A number of other, likeminded organizations could be found at the vigil, including the Shepherd University chapter of Morgan’s Message.

“Morgan’s Message is a nonprofit that strives to help student athletes with their mental health and to break the stigma against mental health. It was named after a player named Morgan Rodgers. She went to Kettle Run High School, which I actually attended, and then she went to Duke University, where she played lacrosse,” said Shepherd University freshman lacrosse player Jordan White, mentioning Rodgers was also her middle school lacrosse coach. “She tore her ACL and kind of declined from there. Her parents and friends came together and created Morgan’s Message.”

White is one of two ambassadors for Morgan’s Message at Shepherd University, along with fellow lacrosse player Katie Paredes, seeking to help other student athletes recognize that their mental health needs nurtured, just as much as their physical health.

“I think we all have struggled with mental health issues,” Paredes said. “Shedding light on that and normalizing conversations about it and gathering a community together for that specific reason resonates a lot to me. I’m glad to be able to be a part of this tonight.”

Tony Salas speaks about the loss of his son to suicide, during the Candlelight Vigil for Suicide Prevention on Sept. 17. Tabitha Johnston

Other organizations providing information and support at the vigil, included Brian ONeill Jr. Foundation, Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center and Sources of Strength.

“It’s Suicide Prevention Month in September, so our focus is on normalizing mental health challenges and showing a unity in support of those who are struggling, and encouraging help-seeking,” Baracka said. “Suicide is the second leading cause of death among traditional college-aged students. There are a lot of hardships that people experience — untreated mental illness, extreme stressors and cumulative stressors.”

Baracka said she hoped that, as the result of the vigil, more people will feel comfortable talking about mental health challenges and learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of distress in others. The resources offered at the vigil would, she hoped, equip people with the knowledge of how to directly question others on how they are feeling and what resources are available for those in need of mental health support.

For Shepherd University senior Samantha Fridley, the vigil was an opportunity to share her personal mental health journey and connect with others who have experienced similar struggles.

“Mental health is not something we just talk about. It’s something we live. It’s something we must support each other through. We must ensure that resources are available and that no one feels ashamed to reach out for help,” Fridley said, mentioning she founded Rams Care as a freshman, to do just that. “This vigil is more than just a gathering. It’s a symbol of hope, of connection and of the power we have when we reach out to those who are struggling.”

Jill Leathers, left, speaks about the Brian O'Neil Jr. Foundation with a Shepherd University student in front of the Scarborough Library on Tuesday. Tabitha Johnston