ETSU raising awareness on college students committing suicide скачать в хорошем качестве

ETSU raising awareness on college students committing suicide

Going to college comes with a lot of pressure. So much so, more than a thousand college students commit suicide every year. East Tennessee State University is highlighting that alarming statistic, during this Suicide Awareness Month. 1,100 black flags, a strong image on ETSU's campus, representing the number of college students who die across the country from suicide every year. "We want them just in general know that there's hope for them," Beth Evelyn Barber, counselor at ETSU said. She said she wants students to utilize the resources available to them, like a 24-hour mental health help-line called Bucs Press 2. She also told me it's important for students to connect to each other and the school. "A sense of belonging is one of the biggest protective factors that help people not want to end their lives," Barber said. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 50% of college students become so depressed, they consider suicide. It's the second leading cause of death among college students, the first being accidents. "If that at any time they feel the need to talk to someone and prevent this from becoming another statistic then that's my hope for this that at least one student will be reached in that way," Graduate Assistant Ashley Olmstead said. Barber said that this a powerful display, because seeing just one flag is one too many. "1,100 is an overwhelming number to me. I don't want to see any flags out here," she said. Placed in a high-traffic area on campus, students took the time to take a look and reflect. "That was a good opportunity for us to just reach out and make it aware that this is a prominent concern in our current culture, especially with college students," Olmstead said. Barber tells us college is a tough time, because students possibly struggle financially, feel uncertain about the future and they're away from home. "Get the help that you need," Barber said.