September is suicide awareness month, but with the daily average of suicides in the U.S. In 2020 being 130 a day, and with 1.20 million suicide attempts that year according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, it should be an awareness that lasts all year long.
Mindfulness to the often ignored signs is critical. Nadine Henely, the mental health director, from the Student Health Center said signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors consist of:
- Mood swings that are dramatic.
- Giving things away out of the blue.
- Setting their affairs in order.
- Drug or alcohol abuse.
- Behavior that is reckless.
- Obtaining means of suicide such as pills or a weapon.
- Saying goodbye to loved ones.
Everyone is at risk for committing suicide. Henely pointed out some factors that put one at a higher risk for attempting suicide:
- A family history of suicide.
- Abuse or trauma.
- Recent loss or tragedy.
- Using substances such as drugs and alcohol.
- Repeated lengthy stress.
On campus, the Student Health Center offers counseling to students up to eight sessions a semester. Office hours for the health center are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, they are open Monday through Friday.
Henley stresses that nothing is too big or too small for the Student Health Center to take on. The appointment can be made by calling 626-914-8671. They can also be reached by email at mentalhealth@citruscollege.edu.
Henley said if not on campus, 988 a national suicide prevention hotline. The call centers are active around the clock. A caller can reach a therapist at this number.
the calls remain confidential. The number can also be texted. She also said even with this national line, other suicide prevention lines provided by other groups are still available.
In the spirit of keeping this awareness going past September the Clarion wishes to reach out to the Citrus College Community for their personal experiences to simply put it out there, if they believe it would be helpful to them. Further if they are willing to be interviewed for this the Clarion is interested in reporting this. The contributions will remain confidential if requested.
