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Show CAMPUS 13 GET THE FACTS ON SUICIDE AN AMERICAN DIES BY SUICIDE EVERY t f 20 MINUTES c io J i 0FTH0SEWH0 ,4 AMERICANS ATTEMPT SUICIDE AN tfj ESTIMATED TIMES ANNUALLY rr r r "D' v'O'AN WHO .vauvlki DIE BY SUICIDE HADA DIAGNOSEABLE PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER f FOUR MEN DIE BY DIES BY SUICIDE, ATTHETIME OFTHEIR DEATH SUICIDE, BUT WOMEN ARE 3X MORE LIKELYTO AnEMPT SUICIDE VETERANS COMPRISE 50.9 24.8 1 OF SUICIDE DEATH BY FIREARM OF SUICIDE DEATH BY SUFFOCATION OF SUICIDE DEATH BY POISONING 7 OF SUICIDES INFORMATION COURTESY OF AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION Westminsters Role and Resources Westminster provides resources for students in need of help or support such as the Counseling Center. Located in the lower level of Shaw, the Counseling Center works with students on a multitude of issues and concerns, including anxiety, depression, roommate issues, alcohol and drugs, relationship issues, academic stresses and the like When discussing suicide prevention, counselor Cory Shipp said that, in any program, prevention is going to be built on connection. At Westminster, we rely on teachers, roommates, friends, colleagues and anyone else connected with a person to let us know when they are concerned about a friend or associate, Shipp said. He said there should be an ongoing effort to develop a sense of connection with others in the Westminster community. The Counseling Center not only provides help to those who may be considering suicide but also to individuals and groups who have been impacted by suicide. This support can be in the form of meeting individually with those impacted or in meeting with groups. Shipp said that when a concern is raised, a Threat Assessment and Behavior Intervention Committee (TABIC) meeting is held. This group looks at the concern and helps determine the best way to support the student, Shipp said. If someone is consid ered at risk, then there will be an outreach visit) done by a member of residence, the Deans Office andor Counseling Center. Intermediate safety is the highest priority for the Counseling Center. Counselors also look to support students in finding longterm solutions to their current crisis. This may be helping the student access services beyond what the Counseling Center can provide, Shipp said. Lisa Jones, director of the Counseling Center, recently sent out an email to students informing them of the Wellness Support Group. The email said this group is, a safe, supportive and nonjudgmental place, where participants can give and receive support. This group will offer strategies and skills for coping with anxiety, depression, transition and other difficult life issues. The group will be held Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There is no cost to attend. The Counseling Centers page on Westminsters website also offers information about ULifeline, where students can learn more about mental health issues and warn- another resource, especially for students living on campus. Ata Siulua, coordinator for Residence Life, said that Westminster trains RAs to focus on the residents on their floor as a whole and also on the ones they dont see as often. When it comes to preparing for instances such as suicide, RAs go through a training called Behind Closed Doors. This training puts the RAs in different scenarios, which include suicide, alcohol, Tide IX, etc. The faculty and staff who train are also experienced and help RAs realize what possible scenarios are likely and what to do if they ing signs, access emergency information, etc. It also provides a link to an anonymous on depression, anxiety and alcoholism. Counseling is confidential and provided at no charge. Appointments may be scheduled in person, by telephone or email. Westminsters resident advisers (RAs) are with each other. If students feel like they have a place on campus, theyre less likely to if they know they have support, Siulua said. (in-pers- on self-assessm-ent occur. Suicide is one scenario that we definitely focus on, Siulua said. Suicide, in my eyes, is like the carbon monoxide of mental health. Its a silent killer. A lot of people dont show signs of self-har-m until it actually hap- pens." Siulua said RAs are always striving to improve because mental health is such a big issue in the realm of higher education. He suggests that one of the best ways to prevent suicide on campus is to build a community accomplished. It is important to shed the stigma so that lives can be saved, said Taryn Aiken, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-Uta- h chair. College is a place for learning anyway, so why not implement even more classes or programs where we can talk about mental health? Talking openly about such topics and being nonjudgmental are ways in which the stigma can begin to shed. We need to be more willing to let others know that Tm not okay so that we are not feeling all alone, Aiken said. We always feel like, Oh, no one else would understand, or nobody else is going through this when there are actually a handful of other people who can relate. Furthermore, Aiken said people need to talk openly and share their struggles and successes so that everyone can grow together. Connection between human beings will do that, Aiken said. We need to feel valued, heard and seen. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (8255) Westminster Counseling Center: 801-832-22- 37 self-har- m Shedding the Stigma Shedding the stigma associated with suicide and mental health may not happen overnight. However, there are ways it can be suicide through the loss ofmy younger brother Matt back in 2013. Losing my only sibling and best friend is without a doubt the worst thing that has ever happened to me. He was the last person you would ever think would take his own life , but it happened. want to help others and let them know that they can reach out and find help and support, whether that is through me or the school or anywhere else. 1 know it is I personally experienced I easier said than done, but there are people who understand and who will want to help in anyway they can. Shedding the stigma on suicide and mental health is not something that will happen overnight or even by next week, just like people won't suddenly stop feeling sad These things University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI): Salt Lake Behavioral Health: 801-587-30- 00 801-264-60- 00 are complicated and challenging, but are not impossible to accomplish. Ignoring the fact that suicide is an issue and not talking about the stigmas associated with it will not make it go away. We cannot just act like it's not happening. It's reality. ' Lastly, going through college is like learning how to walk. Youll stumble, trip and fall, but you can always get back up, whether you do it on your own or have someone there to help you. Struggling is natural, especially during this time in your life. Its okay not tofeel okay. Its okay to tell someone that you are struggling and need help. It takes courage and there is no shame in any of that. Just remember, ifyou get to your lowest of lows, think about how far you've already come in life and what youve accomplished. Be proud ofyourself. Stay strong. |