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Hugs Of Hope At NIU Campus

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. IPR's Jenna Dooley reports on a small effort by college students to reach out to those who may be struggling.

Smiling faces greet rushed students at Northern Illinois University’s MLK Commons.

"If someone doesn’t want to get a free hug, that's okay, just tell them to have a wonderful day and move on to the next person who maybe does want one. We are also giving out high-fives, not everyone likes hugs."

That’s Lisa Holland, with NIU's chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity. She says the group has been spending hours in the space taking information from students who may need to keep talking after their hug. Illinois health officials say suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in the state for young adults 15 to 34 years of age.

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