The tenth leading cause of death in the United States is suicide (according to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention), and yet it is a subject rarely addressed. 

But suicide is a topic to be spoken of, and Jabriel Roberts, a senior majoring in communications, is doing just that.

Roberts began a suicide prevention campaign in September (which is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month) to help promote awareness of suicide and the affects of depression. The name of the campaign is How Much A Smile Can Hide.

Roberts began this campaign because he recently had his first interaction with suicide.

"A person that I know committed suicide...I met him at an art exhibit and he was that type of person that promoted good spirits," comments Roberts. "It affected me because I [didn't] really sense the signs of depression and it was a surprise when he committed suicide."

Roberts tells the stories of others who have either experienced depression and or knows someone who committed suicide. The campaign is being promoted through his Instagram page, Pitched for Pat, where he showcases his pictures.

At first he couldn't come up with a name for the organization, until a friend suggested the idea Pitched by Pat, in memory of Roberts' grandmother, whose name was Patricia.

"I wanted to brand myself with my name," he says, "I've been taking photos since I was 17 years old when my dad bought me a camera."

Even before beginning the campaign Roberts wanted to begin a photo series.

"...After last semester finished, I came up with a list of things to complete by the end of the summer. And one of them was to complete a photo series, but I didn’t know what to do. I was just trying [to] think of things to do that hasn’t been done before." 

In his campaign, he asks participants a set of questions "that revolves around how much a smile can hide. If they want to they can tell their stories of getting through depression," he says. At some point, Roberts takes a photo of each participant and filters it black and white.

Roberts decided on suicide prevention because he realized that not many people speak of the sensitive topic. He found it hard to find campaigns on social media sites that focused on suicide.

Suicide can affect anyone, especially those ages 10 through 34, where suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

"Tackling this whole subject--suicide--it wasn’t something I really knew about until it started affecting more and more people I know. I love doing this and getting to know people’s stories because it helps me learn more, and hopefully their stories can help others understand how people’s mindsets work."

If anyone needs someone to talk to, the Kean University Counseling Center is here to help. Do not try battling depression alone. The Counseling Center is located in Downs Hall and the hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the fall, winter and spring semesters, and Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the summer. 

The suicide awareness campaign lasted through the month of September, ending Tuesday, September 20, 2016. 

Visit Pitched By Pat on Instagram to read the stories of those who have been affected by depression and or suicide.