Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Suicide Prevention Week is underway at Southeast

Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Infographic from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

September is Suicide Prevention Month and Southeast Missouri State University's Counseling and Disability Services is partnering with Redhawk Peer Educators to raise awareness.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Each year, 42,773 people commit suicide.

Torie Grogan, director of Counseling and Disability Services, said the purpose of Suicide Prevention Week is to raise awareness of the resources available to students and to reduce the stigma on mental illness and suicide.

"Suicide Prevention Week is our awareness week focusing on increasing resources, awareness of resources available on campus, reducing the stigma of talking about suicide and suicide prevention and also providing students with free and confidential depression screenings and access to mental health-related resources," Grogan said.

Grogan said 90 percent of suicides are related to mental health issues, which are highly treatable.

In the state of Missouri, suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 18 and 24, the onset age of many mental illnesses, which is a cause for concern. The increased number of suicides of individuals in this age range is related to untreated mental illnesses.

Grogan said mental illnesses often go untreated because students fear the reactions from family members or employers.

"Fears about that stigma [prevent students from seeking help]," Grogan said. "Fears that family, peers and employers might not be supportive of the individual seeking mental health treatment or resources."

Counseling and Disability Services offers free, confidential outpatient treatment to any student facing a mental illness.

Signs of mental illness range depending on the illness, but common signs of suicidal thoughts may include chronic hopelessness or isolation, sleep or appetite disturbance, changes in routine, substance abuse or constant feelings of burdensomeness.

Grogan encourages anyone who believes a friend is experiencing suicidal thoughts to approach them directly, listen nonjudgmentally and offer support. Faculty members who are concerned about a student may contact Counseling and Disability Services directly to refer students to the Students of Concern Committee.

Counseling and Disability Services offers a number of training programs to help students, faculty and staff, including Question Persuade Refer (QPR) and Ask Listen Refer. QPR is a free two-hour training course for students and faculty members that teaches attendees to recognize the signs of suicidal thoughts and how to interact with people who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide. To schedule a training, contact Counseling and Disability Services. The Ask Listen Refer program is similar to QPR and can be completed free of charge online at http://asklistenrefer.org.

Students who believe they are suffering from depression are encouraged to visit Counseling and Disability services for free, confidential treatment specialized to meet their needs. Counseling and Disability Services offers individual counseling and a number of group counseling wellness groups designed to help students with any situation they may be facing, such as test anxiety, sexual orientation, adjusting to college and injury or postoperative recovery.

Suicide Prevention Week began at Southeast at 11 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday at the University Center. Counseling and Disability Services provided semicolon tattoos and free depression screenings.

Today, Sept. 21, students can find a psychoeducation table in the UC Lobby as well as free depression screenings.

At noon on Thursday, Sept. 22, students, faculty and staff can gather in front of Academic Hall for a balloon release. Dove-shaped balloons will be released in memory of those who have lost their lives to suicide and to raise awareness of suicide and prevention.

Students will have the chance to meet some furry friends with PUPPIES for Prevention sponsored by the Redhawk Health Educators from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Terraces.

Suicide Prevention Week concludes at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25, with the Out of the Darkness Community Walk at Cape County Park North. Students wanting to participate can register at www.outofthedarkness.org.

Counseling and Disability Services is located in the lower level of Dearmont's B wing. Students also have access to the Counseling Education Training Clinic located in Scully Building, 318. Counseling and Disability Services can be contacted at (573) 986-6191. If a student needs immediate help after hours or over the weekend, they can contact the University Police at (573) 651-2215 and the University's Crisis Response Team will be activated to assist. Students also can receive 24-hour assistance with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 237-TALK (8225).

Comments