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Show CAMPUS 12 . if minster students have personal connections with suicide and mental illness. Shedding the stigma SUICIDE AND MENTAL HEALTH AT WESTMINSTER CALLIE JUNGEMANN STAFF REPORTER Tuition payments due, books to buy, assignments piling up, the pressure of getting good grades, maintaining important relationships and trying to balance life on top of it all. College can be an incredible time for a lot of people, but it can also bring upon a lot of added stress to students lives. So much so that it can cost their lives. With the semester getting underway, students can familiarize themselves with resources available on campus that will provide them help, support and information on how to shed the stigma associated with suicide and mental health. Statistics In 2015, Utah ranked third in the nation for most suicide death rates, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Suicide is the sixth leading cause of death overall in Utah. It is estimated to be the second leading cause of death among college students. of students suffer mental disorders suicide. Each year, An estimated 15 percent from depression and other that put them at risk for 10 percent of students report that they ... NO student. ar No one is perfect, Kibler said. Everyone is able to put on masks really well. I think a lot of people think, Im the only one that struggles ONE EVER with this and everyone else has their have seriously considered suicide. THOUGHT THAT HE Personal Experiences WOULD BE THAT Students at Westminster shared their stories of how TYPE they have personal- ly been affected by suicide. Erin Kibler, OF PERSON, AND HE DIDNT SEEM SAD AT ALL. ju- nior, lost a dorm KARA KORNHAUSER resident on her floor at Westminster last year. Although she did not know this person personally, she said that it really affected her friends who were roommates with the Kara Kornhauser, first-yestudent, lost one of her fellow swimming teammates to suicide. I just remember hearing and being in disbelief because no one ever thought that he would be that type of person, and he didnt seem sad at all, Kornhauser said. The people close to him were really shocked because he didnt talk to anybody, which was unfortunate. Kornhauser said she wants to tell people about her own experience and let them know that depression is not necessarily a 33 FIRST YEAR STUDENT stuff together. But everyone deals with different things. You should never be embarrassed to say that struggling youre with something. Kibler said that it is important to spread the message about ending the associated stigma with suicide across campus. Knowing that there is a safe space for people to go is really important, Kibler said. permanent thing. Kornhauser said she has diagnosed depression and anxiety. Im open about it, but I could see why people wouldnt be, she said. She said there is a stigma with mental illness, as well. People dont think of it the same way as physical illness, even though in my opinion they should because it affects people really severely, Kornhauser said. CALLIE JUNGEMANN Students share how they have personally been impacted by suicide and mental illness and discuss how the Westminster community can help reduce the stigma. Westminster has resources available to those who are struggling, such as the Counseling Center. |