Abstract/Summary

Each year at Cal Poly, the student community loses at least one student to suicide; many more suffer from depression and its effects. The students who started the Love Out Loud Campaign saw a need for awareness about the aforementioned topics. The campaign raises awareness about depression and its effects, as well as attempts to change the stigma associated with the issue. This paper addresses the need for student initiated suicide prevention campaigns on college campuses, as well as the ways in which the field of public relations can be utilized in said campaigns. The importance of depression awareness is addressed, as well as issues that arise with sensitive subjects such as suicide. There is a focus on two-way communication and addressing tough situations in a positive manner.