Shelby Review

Macomb Community College issued the following announcement on Sept. 3. 

Events shed light on rising suicide rate among young people and what can be done

Macomb Community College is presenting a variety of activities and exhibits during Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 8 – 14, to help students and community members better understand this growing epidemic and learn ways they can help loved ones cope with mental health issues.

“About 1,100 college students commit suicide across the country every year,” said Karen Wickline, professor of psychology and program coordinator at Macomb. “The exhibits and activities we’ve planned are intended to shed a light on a topic that is not often discussed. We believe that through education, we can make a positive difference in the suicide rate.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34 and is one of just three leading causes of death that is on the rise. In Macomb County, according to the Macomb County Medical Examiner, there were 136 deaths attributed to suicide in 2018.

“This epidemic is impacting our young people at an alarming rate,” said Nancy Buyle, chairman, Macomb County Suicide Prevention Coalition. “This trend is going in the wrong direction. It’s important for us to be out there educating people on warning signs and what can be done if someone has a loved one who may be exhibiting signs of suicide or mental health issues. This really is a matter of life and death. Hope and help are available and really do make a difference.”

Macomb Community College’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week events are free and open to the public, with activities being held both at South Campus in Warren, and Center Campus in Clinton Township.

Weeklong exhibits

• Stomp Out Suicide: To represent the approximately 1,100 U.S. college students who commit suicide each year, pairs of shoes, each with a brief bio of individuals who have committed suicide, will be placed around South Campus grounds.
• Mental health library exhibit, Student-produced informational posters, flyers, stories, artwork and community resources will be displayed. South Campus Library - J Building
• Hope & Remembrance Wall: All will be welcome to post a memory, a name of a friend or loved one who passed away from suicide or a thoughtful message of hope throughout the week. South Campus - K Building; Center Campus - P Building
• 22 A Day military display: Special military boot display to accompany Stomp Out Suicide to demonstrate the rate of military suicide. South Campus Library - J Building

Monday, Sept. 9

• Suicide: The Ripple Effect: Feature-length documentary film that shows the positive effect of prevention efforts, South Campus - K Building, Room 316, 1 p.m.; Center Campus - C Building, Room 101, 6 p.m.
• Question, Persuade and Refer: Suicide prevention training, South Campus - K Building, Room 324, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

 Tuesday, Sept 10

• Animal-Assisted Therapy: South Campus - J Building, Room 340, 12 p.m.
• It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health Workshop: South Campus - J Building, Room 140, 2 p.m.
• Talk Saves Lives: A workshop, presented by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, that will present the warning signs and risk factors of suicide as well as strategies for prevention, South Campus - J Building, Room 140, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept 11

• WORDcraft Wednesday: Readings of poetry and short fiction by local writers on hope and overcoming depression, participants will have the chance to share their own creative voice during the open mic portion, South Campus - K Building, Room 316, 11 a.m.
• Question, Persuade and Refer; Suicide prevention training, Center Campus - P Building, Room 129, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 12

• Self-Love and Building Hope with Legos: TherapeuticLUG will provide participants the opportunity to free-build with LEGO bricks to the theme of “What is Self-Love.” South Campus -South Campus - K Building, Lobby, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Into the Light: Documentary focused on struggles of a Marine to assimilate into civilian life, South Campus - S Building, Room 101, 2 p.m.

For more information on the exhibits and events, visit www.macomb.edu/library and click on the library enrichment programs link.

Original source can be found here.