According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 1,440 suicide attempts were made yesterday, and will be made today. Every minute of every day someone tries to end their life and every 13.7 minutes one of them succeeds.
This past Sunday was the first day of National Suicide Prevention week, and areas around Ventura County have been making an effort to raise awareness about this issue.
On September 10, Moorpark College Student Health and Counseling Center set up a station on Raider Walk from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Students had an opportunity to ask the school nurses and psychologists questions, send e-cards to loved ones and learn about tools and information they can use to help someone in this situation. The Student Health and Counseling Center were reaching out to students and making sure everyone knew about all the resources available. Dena Stevens, a nurse at the Moorpark Student Health Center explained why creating awareness was so important.
“We did a survey in 2010 and then another one in 2013 and we definitely see a huge increase. More so at Moorpark College than in the community, and other colleges of our equal population so that’s concerning.”
One of the resources students were told about was an online suicide prevention-training program called Kognito. This program teaches users techniques on how to recognize when someone is suicidal and how talk to them when you are concerned. It has tips on how to support those under psychological distress, veterans transitioning into college and normal life, and also LBGTQ students who may be struggling. The program also informs students about where they can go for help on their campus.
Students were also given information on other events that would take place outside of Moorpark College in the Ventura County area. Thursday from 2:30pm– 4:30 pm Lisa Firestone, PhD, will do a speech at Channel Islands titled, “Help Save a Life, Suicide Prevention Response.”
On Friday from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Simi Valley Library Community Room, a panel of speakers will talk about suicide and its warning signs, how to prevent it, and where to go to help yourself or others in this situation. Representatives from Trevor Project, safeTalk, and Casa Pacifica will all be there to talk about how to help teens and adults who are struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in the United States alone suicide takes the lives of over 38,000 people every year. On Saturday September 21, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is sponsoring the Out of the Darkness Community Walks, which will be held in Constitution Park, Camarillo. The purpose of the walks is to raise awareness, raise funds, honor those who you love, and most importantly, to save lives. You can do your part by joining the walk, or donating money to the event. The goal is $20,000 and so far participants have raised $6,361.
If you or a loved on is struggling with depression here are some numbers, websites, and applications that may be useful to you.
Student Hotlines & Crisis Teams
Nat’l Suicide Prevention: 800-273-Talk(8255)
Ventura County Crisis Team: 866-998-2243
Didi Hirsch Crisis Line: 877-727-4747
Suicide Hotline: 800 SUICIDE
Smart Phone Apps
Lifebuoy-Free
Wingman Project-Military-Free
ASK & Prevent Suicide
Suicide? Help!
Websites
Livingworks.com
Mentalhealthfirstaid.com
Eachmindmatters.org
Suicideispreventable.org
Thetrevorproject.org
Kognitocampus.com/student/ccc
http://www.afsp.org/out-of-the-darkness-walks
