Draya Rios/THE RIDER
In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, students and faculty gathered to hear a personal message from a couple of Rio Grande Valley’s authors: no one has to face their struggles alone.
The event, hosted by the Counseling Center, took place Tuesday in the UTRGV PlainsCapital Bank Theater on the Edinburg campus.
It featured a presentation by the husband-and-wife duo Arlene Cantu and Shawn Elliot Russell, who for the first time shared their stories of survival and growth together on stage. Their presentation featured moments from their journey that highlighted the strength they found in each other and the tools they use to keep moving forward.
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Russell said it was the second time Cantu had ever spoken publicly about her experiences.
“One of my biggest fears is being vulnerable in front of people,” she said. “[But] I want it to be normal, so that everybody can feel what they’re going through and, hopefully, work it out a lot younger than we did and have a lot easier life after that.”
Cantu and Russell talked about their personal stories and the learning moments that were born from them. Through their journey, they said they found the importance in things such as celebrating small victories, allowing yourself to act in a way that is comfortable to yourself, and mental strategies used to overcome anxiety and depression.
The presenters are authors of illustrated books born from their personal struggles. Cantu described her writing as a way to offer comfort and pause to readers, a gentle reminder that storms eventually pass.
“I really sincerely hope that it gives people a chance, that they give themselves a chance,” she said.
Russell said his work, which began as a PDF he shared with friends, grew into a published book after demand from readers. Written in a flow of consciousness in just a few hours, his story captures raw emotion and reflection.
“I knew it was something that might connect with people because I cried when I read it,” he said.
They said while both approach the message differently, their goal is the same: to inspire hope.
“Sometimes you’ll read something or hear something from somebody, and it’ll just kind of change your whole mindset in that moment,” Cantu said. “That’s what I want people to take away.”
Ultimately, the couple said they hope their presentation sparks action among students.
“I kind of hope it’s like a conversation starter,” Cantu said. “I hope that somebody took away one of the six things we shared and thought, ‘OK, I’m going to try that.’”
Christopher Albert, director of the UTRGV Counseling Center, said any students seeking help can utilize the university’s free counseling services.
“We’re all human, and we all have basic emotions,” Albert said. “No matter what views we have or what backgrounds … we all sometimes struggle, and there are times when we need to reach out for help. That’s OK.”
