The Pennsylvania Department of Education recognized 15 postsecondary institutions for their commitment to preventing suicide and promoting mental health and wellness for their students.

Among the colleges recognized on May 27 at Temple University, four are in the area. They are: Lafayette College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Moravian University and Northampton Community College.

The colleges are now designated as PA CARES campuses.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to collaborate, cooperate and connect to ensure Pennsylvania’s postsecondary students have access to safe and supportive learning environments, and the PA CARES initiative recognizes the school communities that are doing the work day in and day out,” said Lynette Kuhn, the deputy secretary of postsecondary and higher education.

PA CARES, which stands for Connect, Assess, Respond, Encourage, Support, is a new program that honors postsecondary institutions that have implemented Act 110 mental health and suicide prevention plans, which enables school staff to engage with the campus community and empowering students to seek help when they need it.

The National Institute for Mental Health estimates that there are 1,100 suicide deaths per year among college students across the country. According to researchers at Prevent Suicide PA, suicide is the second leading cause of death on American college campuses. It is critical that institutions of higher education implement policies to student suicide.

For help, dial 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.ps://988lifeline.org/.