Sept. 13, Moorpark College will be hosting the fourth annual Suicide Prevention Conference. From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., the campus will be running five workshops across multiple topics involving suicide prevention, including both English and Spanish workshops, Preventing Military Veteran Suicide and Question, Persuade, Refer Training.
According to Sharon Manakas, Coordinator of the Student Health Center at Moorpark College, “We are happy to host this important event with our Ventura County Behavioral Health partners.”
The conference will host guest speaker, Lisa Hamp of Active Minds, an organization dealing with mental health resources and prevention of suicide. Hamp is a survivor of the Virginia Tech shooting that occurred in 2007. She has since dedicated herself to telling her story of recovery while inspiring others to seek help. Hamp will be speaking on suicide prevention after traumatic events, an important matter for Moorpark’s community with the upcoming one year anniversary of the Borderline shooting.
There will be a training workshop by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Their Talk Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention program will be a “community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide.”
Video provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, “Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students.” Moorpark is using resources and education to combat this national epidemic.
“We have mental health counselors here Monday through Friday. Our nurses are also trained in mental health crisis to assist students. Students can also see our physician and nurse practitioner for medication consultation in treating depression and anxiety,” stated Manakas.
If a student comes in to see a medical professional regarding mental health, the student is to “complete a screening tool for depression, these are evaluated by the medical provider they have an appointment with,” explained Manakas. After the student takes the screening the medical professionals on staff can evaluate whether or not the student is at-risk or in an emergency.
The Moorpark College website offers online screenings for mental health problems including depression, alcohol/drug abuse and eating disorders. The website also features various outreach links for finding local therapists and online self-help resources as well.
The Student Health Center is working to halt the issue before it begins, utilizing education and training. In the upcoming semester, staff will begin training on mental health first aid, as well as continuing the suicide prevention training done year-round in the classroom.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts or depression, connect with the Student Health Center in the administration building room 111 or call to schedule an appointment at 805-378-1413. If you or a loved one is facing an emergency, dial 911.
