NO university is safe from untimely deaths, but outreach initiatives can certainly help
Posted on September 10, 2007
It’s always shocking to hear that someone has passed away. It’s even more shocking when the deceased is a young person with a full life ahead of them that will never be known. And when that tragic, perplexing and deeply saddening death is self-inflicted and occurs on a campus that is known for its cheeriness and welcoming nature there is only one word left to describe it: confusing.
During the first week of school a JMU sophomore took his own life in Rockingham Hall. This came as a surprise to just about everyone in the JMU community, as the campus is known for its commitment to providing a niche for everyone.
High suicide rates are generally associated with schools known for their academic intensity such as William and Mary, or Ivy League universities that are known for their cutthroat competition.
Sadly, it does not matter where one goes to school, but the personal issues one brings to school as well as the experience the individual has at the university. JMU’s positive and loving nature will only go so far if an individual is depressed and never receives proper treatment.
Studies from the American Health Association conclude that “one in ten college students seriously considers suicide… about 95 percent of students who commit suicide are clinically depressed.”
The naïve belief that suicides only occur at Ivy League schools is completely false, since there is no particular trend in research involving deaths of suicide victims. Stating that one school has more academic pressure and therefore must cause ample stress resulting in higher suicide rates does not excuse the reality of self-inflicted death to smaller universities like JMU.
Like many other universities, JMU has multiple places where people who feel they may be depressed can go for free treatment. Along with the Women’s Resource Center, a group that dedicates themselves to bringing awareness to sexual assault prevention, JMU has another free organization dedicated to helping students in emotional need. The Counseling Student Development Center, located in the Varner House on campus, is devoted to ensure students remain mentally and emotionally healthy. Offering ten counseling sessions per semester, students are offered various counseling methods such as groups meetings, individual , substance abuse or even psychiatric counseling. Most importantly, the CSDC offers emergency assistance to those in need of help after they have closed for the day.
As the numbers of suicide rates increase, most notably in young females, it is crucial that all universities have a program like this, even at schools like JMU where suicide is rare.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently conducted a study concluding that individuals between the ages of 10-to-24 are most likely to commit suicide. Females ages 15-to-19 had an increase of 32 percent in suicide deaths compared to the 9 percent raise in male suicides according to the study.
A good portion of the students at JMU may be having the time of their lives at this fine institute of higher learning. I know that the organizations I have been involved with and the people I have met along the way are events and faces that have all impacted me in positive ways. As we cross the quad and enjoy the sun remember to smile and look out for all of those you can — you never know when your smile, door holding, or simple hello will make the difference.
Sarah Delia is a junior English and art history major.
About Us | Supplements | Advertising | Contact Us
Website design by Erik Pitzer ('07)
