SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The “Voices of Hope” event at Le Moyne University brought together students, faculty, and community members to remember lives lost to suicide and raise awareness about mental health. Organized in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the event featured multimedia presentations, singing, dancing, and heartfelt messages from participants.

Shayesta Baqaakhail, the Wellness Ambassador Coordinator at Le Moyne, emphasized the importance of community support. “We’re all in this together so no one has to do it alone,” she said. Reflecting on her personal journey, Baqaakhail added, “I come from Afghanistan. I’m a girl who once thought I had no voice, who once thought I had no one. When I came here, and just the feeling of people around me, that just, it’s very emotional.”

Anne Kearney, Assistant Dean for Student Well-Being at Le Moyne, expressed pride in the event. “It’s just such a gratifying part of my professional journey to be up here at Lemoine and to watch events like this to unfold and where students take leadership, get involved, contribute in just some unique ways and gives me hope really,” she said.

Participants wore shirts adorned with a semicolon, a symbol representing the choice to continue living and finding a way through difficult times. Baqaakhail explained, “That symbol, for me, that symbol represents that you and I, me and you, we’re going to do it together. It’s hope. There’s hope somewhere. Even if it’s not loud, even if it’s not big, it’s going to be there.”

Kearney concluded, “I don’t know if there’s anything better in this world to know that we’re in this together and that we can just help each other.” She added, “We have this expression up here at Le Moyne, Dolphins don’t let dolphins swim alone.”

The event served as a reminder that everyone carries their struggles, but no one has to face them alone.