The UNC women’s soccer game on Thursday night is catching attention for several reasons.

One reason, of course, is the Tar Heels are matching up with the top-ranked team in the country and reigning national champions: Florida State. Another, though, is that the team is dedicating their efforts to better discussion and awareness of mental health.

The women’s soccer program shared a statement Wednesday night ahead of the game, saying the team aims to shine a light on mental health struggles in the wake of recent tragedy among the UNC campus community.

“This semester, our campus has grieved the loss of three students who died by suicide,” read the team release. “We don’t want to wait for any more tragedies to happen to start talking about mental health.”

On October 9, UNC Police responded to and reported a student dying by suicide near a first-year dorm. Hours later, another attempted suicide in a student residence was reported to the department, with that individual be reported dead in the following days. The news came after reports of another student dying by suicide in the area of the Forest Theater in early September.

Since then, university leadership announced the school will hold a summit in the coming weeks for students, faculty and mental health experts to discuss the ongoing crisis and strain being experienced on college campuses, including UNC. The school also shared plans to launch a campus-wide mental wellness campaign to improve awareness and openness of struggles.

On Thursday, the women’s soccer team said it will be reserving three seats on its bench to honor the three UNC students lost this fall semester. Players will also hang dozens of posters with encouraging messages they’ve written around the stadium. Additionally, there will be green decorations, like streamers, sidewalk chalk and accessories, since green is the color designated for mental health awareness.

Fans and visitors to the game will also have a chance to participate, according to the team. A table with balloons will be set up at the stadium entrance, with fans invited to blow up and tie balloons around the field’s fence.

“As a program,” said Wednesday’s team statement, “we want to send the message that you are loved, you are worthy, you matter, and the world is a better place with you in it. Mental health IS health and mental health is treatable. Everyone is going through their own battles daily and you don’t have to suffer in silence. You are never alone.”

The Tar Heels match against No. 1 Florida State is set to begin at 8 p.m. To read the team’s full release about dedicating the game to mental health awareness, visit the Carolina Athletics website.

 

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255.

UNC students can contact UNC Counseling and Psychological Services at the 24-hour phone line at 919-966-3658.

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