The month of September is nationally recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Milligan students and members of the counseling center spoke to The Stampede about prevention and encouraging students to have open conversations about suicide and mental health.
The number of suicides in the United States has been on the rise since 1999 in individuals between the ages of 10 to 74. This public health problem has grown to become the third leading cause of death among adults, yet it is rarely talked about.
“Whenever a conversation about suicide comes up, we don’t really know how to handle it and so we don’t really talk about it,” Sophomore Eric Meadows said.
Dr. Christine Browning, a psychology professor at Milligan, said students tend to shy away from talking about this topic, because it’s extremely personal and can be difficult to talk about with others.
Sophomore Bethany Witherspoon said that while these conversations may be difficult to have they are essential for good mental health.
“Vulnerability is such a huge thing and opening up and getting past those tough conversations is really important,” she said.
Browning said said one of the biggest misconceptions about suicidal thoughts is that talking about it encourages someone towards harming themselves.
“One of the biggest things we can do if we notice a change if a friend’s personality is ask, Have you had any thoughts about hurting yourself?” she said.
Browning said many people are afraid to ask that question, because they think it might drive a person to do something harmful, but in reality it shows the person you care.
“That invitation to talk about it really helps, because it tells the person I care enough about you to notice and ask about you.” she said. “By not saying anything, you are actually saying I don’t care enough to ask.”
Witherspoon said that sometimes individuals are under the misconception that if we ignore the problem it will fade away on its own.
“I think that sometimes people think that if we ignore the problem, that it will just go away, but that’s not the case,” she said. “We need to talk to talk to our friends about their problems and ask about self harm.”
Meadows said that everyone goes through low points in their life, but talking with family members about mental health can be greatly beneficial.
“There was a time when I struggled with depression and thoughts of suicide because of the medication I was on, but my family and faith really got me through it,” he said.
Witherspoon said, “Depression and suicide can affect anyone; even the person that looks like the happiest person in the world, I mean look at Robin Williams,” she said referring to the comedian and actor who took his own life in 2014.
“Depression and suicidal thoughts don’t discriminate so it’s important we check up on our friends,” she added.
The Milligan College Counseling Center offers short-term services to students, faculty and staff free of charge. To make an appointment call (423) 461-8500.