September is National Suicide Prevention Month. While suicide is a tough topic to talk about, being aware of the facts and warning signs of suicide is very important in helping to prevent suicide.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, approximately 24,000 college students attempt suicide every year, and it is the second leading cause of death among college students in the United States. If more people become aware of the warning signs of suicide, hopefully that number will be lowered.

According to the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, the steps to prevent a suicide are:

  1. Know the warning signs.
  2. Talk openly with the person.
  3. Show care and concern.
  4. Take the person seriously.
  5. Get professional help, and in an emergency, call an ambulance and law enforcement to transport the individual to the hospital.

With warning signs, it’s important to realize that they can be obvious, hidden, or mixed. Obvious warning signs include: direct statements about suicidal intent, making preparations for death, consuming drugs and alcohol more heavily and taking risks that are obvious and cause great concern. Hidden warning signs, as the name suggests, aren’t as obvious. Things like giving away personal items, withdrawal from family and friends, feelings of rejection and changes in personality. Mixed warning signs are somewhere in between: frustrations with everyday life, feeling out of place and loss of clear thinking are just a few mixed warning signs.

If you see someone you care about experiencing any of these warning signs, talk to them. When you talk to them, make sure the environment is safe and comfortable, and make sure they trust you. Let the person who’s struggling know that you care about them and make them feel safe. It’s important to take any threat of suicide seriously.

(Contributed/pinal.gov)

Once you’ve established trust and safety, there are two things you need to figure out: if the person has plans to commit suicide, and what has led them to this point. If they tell you they have thought about committing suicide and have a plan in place, get them help as soon as possible.

Here at ETSU, calling public safety at (423) 439-4480 is your best option. There’s also the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 988. What if you’re just concerned about someone’s mental health? If they’re a student of ETSU, you can file a CARE report through the Dean of Students office. This form allows you to anonymously let ETSU know that someone you care about is struggling.

The ETSU Counseling Center provides crisis care and also offers the “Bucs Press 2” crisis line by dialing (423) 439-4841 and pressing “2”. The crisis line is operated 24/7/365. While college is a fun and exciting time, full of a lot of life’s “firsts”, it’s important to remember that there can be dark days.

If you see someone struggling, or if you’re struggling, asking for help isn’t a crime. Be a friend to others, and yourself. Reach out, and you may save a life.

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