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CSU Bakersfield held it’s second Candlelight Event on Tuesday, which seeks to raise awareness regarding depression and suicide.
The event began with attendees grabbing a tealight, putting it in a cup and slowly lighting up a heart on the Student Union patio.
The Candlelight event was hosted by the university’s counseling center with booths from the Bakersfield Vet Center, Kern County Mental Health, CSUB Student Health Services, Services for Students with Disabilities, Inspire Program and the Crisis Line.
CSUB Licensed Clinical Social Worker Eric Lord from the counseling center began the discussion by sharing statistics on suicide.
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students and the 10th leading cause of death among Americans,” said Lord.
The first guest speaker of the night was Sunny Mueller from the Kern County Mental Health, who opened up about her suicide attempt and encouraged others to speak up.
“I’m living proof,” said Mueller. “You are not alone. Depression is a liar.”
Joe Acosta, from the Bakersfield Vet Center discussed suicide among veterans. Acosta is a Vietnam War, who lost many of his fellow Vietnam veterans to suicide.
“Suicide is not the solution,” said Acosta. “Us, veterans, will stand together.”
The evening slowly turned into an emotional night as attendees gathered around the heart shaped by tealights and shared their experience with depression and suicide.
The first to speak about his experience was CSUB alumna Kurt Hettinger.
“I remember the day I put a gun to my head, and I survived because I didn’t pull the trigger. I thought I was broken,” said Hettinger. “It’ll get better if you just hang on one more day.”
Students gradually began to share their experiences.
Celeste Toledo became tearful as she talked about watching her boyfriend struggle with suicidal thoughts.
Janine Parham, a music major, was sexually abused at age nine by her uncle.
“It took the life out of me,” said Parham. “We all need support.”
While the night was emotional for all who attended, the Kappa Sigma fraternity was grieving the loss of one of its members.
A year ago on Oct. 27, a member of the fraternity, Los Ortiz, committed suicide.
“On this day last year, we lost a brother,” said Gorman Thind, a member of the fraternity. “It hits home every day and every night but especially on this day.”
The number of attendees slowly decreased but the support remained the same.
“The amount of support you guys are sharing with each other is unreal,” said Mueller. “I am moved and touched.”
As the night ended, the Kappa Sigma fraternity along with friends of Ortiz gathered around the heart as they remembered him.
The Candlelight Event started last year as an attempt to decrease the number of suicides among college students. CSUB, along with other CSU campuses, hopes to make this an annual event.
