"One More Light" Reminds FHU Students and Henderson Community They Are Not Alone

“You are loved. You are enough. You matter.”

Motorists traveling along Main Street in Henderson on Sept. 21 were greeted by these messages on signs held by Freed-Hardeman University students. The words carried the purpose of “One More Light,” FHU’s annual suicide prevention and wellness event, beyond campus and into the community.

Students participated in several stress-relieving activities including making stress balls and coloring during "One More Light."

Now in its fifth year, the event brought students and community members together at Bader Oval for an evening of remembrance, wellness activities and conversations about loss and support.

Sarah Venable, director of FHU’s social work program, was encouraged by the connections she saw.

“Students were able to spend time reflecting and remembering those who struggle or have been lost to suicide,” Venable said. “The event created a safe space to talk about hard things and share hope in the midst of heartache.”

Dr. Chris Creecy, associate professor of psychology, estimated that 75 to 100 students attended, with a steady stream of participants throughout the event. He hopes to continue offering the gathering for the foreseeable future.

Luminaries lined Bader Oval in recognition of suicide and suicide prevention.

The event provides “a safe space for students to express their emotions and loss, and we feel this is an important part of the recovery process when suicide impacts individuals and communities,” Creecy said.

Organized by FHU’s Department of Behavioral Sciences and University Counseling Center, “One More Light” encouraged attendees to pay attention to those around them, recognize when someone may be struggling and offer a listening ear without judgment.

Throughout the evening, participants made stress balls and took part in other stress-relieving activities, giving them opportunities to relax and connect with others. A remembrance activity also invited participants to write the name of someone affected by suicide as a gesture of honor and support.

For Anniston Jones, a junior social work major, the evening was an opportunity to share a message she hopes others will remember long after the gathering ends.

“You matter,” Jones said. “It’s really easy for it to seem like you’re alone, but you’re never alone, and there are a lot of people that care about you no matter what.”

FHU senior Raedia Duperron wants people to know that they have a support system and are valued.